Appointments Scheduled

After lots of emails back and forth, the first appointments are finally scheduled.  We decided to go ahead and schedule the appointment with the MFM and my OB in the same day, so that C&W don't have to come twice in such a short period of time.  They are both scheduled for Monday, 9/16.  C&W decided to do the ultrascreen testing, which tests for downs and Trisomy 21 and 18.  I did the blood work for this test last week and the apt with the MFM will be for the NT (nuchal translucency) scan part of the test.  After the specialist appointment, we will head over to my OB's office for the first visit with her. 

I am so excited to see C and the baby again.  Unfortunately, W has some work stuff that he wasn't able to get out of, so we will try to Skype or at least video the appointment so that he can see his little one again too.  It's going to be so neat, because the baby will be so much bigger and truly resemble a baby by then.  I can't believe how fast the time is flying by!

10 Weeks and no more meds



10 weeks and NO MORE MEDS.  No more shots or otherwise.  I will keep taking my prenatal vitamin, but I'm done with everything else.  It's a little scary too, just quitting all together, cold turkey.  I know this is usually how most clinics do it, so everything will be fine, but I was on PIO with baby "E" until 12 weeks, so definitely a little different for me.  So glad that I never ended up with any issues with the shots.

C & W's Baby in Week 10 of Pregnancy

The baby (now the size of a prune) has small indentations on his legs (soon to be knees and ankles!), and his tiny arms even have elbows that bend (how is that for magical?). Inside that little mouth, tiny buds of baby teeth are forming under the gums. His stomach and kidneys are kicking into gear, producing digestive juices and urine, and if it's a boy, his testes are making testosterone (how manly!).

Week 10 Pregnancy Symptoms

Fatigue: You probably still feel as if your get-up-and-go has gotten up and gone, but don’t worry — in about a month you’ll be feeling less tired. In the meantime, don’t be super mom-to-be. Ask for help, get some rest, and work in some exercise when you can. Yes, it seems counterintuitive to go out for a walk when you want to crawl into bed, but you’ll feel peppier (promise!) — and you’ll sleep better.  Definitely still feeling this one.  I'm so busy at work that I don't really have time to think about it, but all I want to do when I get home is lay down.  Shouldn't be much longer before it passes.  Yea!

Nausea and vomiting: What’s the worst thing you can do if you’re feeling queasy? Skip a meal. (Missing a meal just makes those queasy feelings more intense.) But if eating anything is really turning your stomach, try acupressure or seasickness bands. And sucking on ginger candy (or drinking real ginger ale) will help, too.  This has gotten a little easier.  Definitely eating more small meals/snacks.  I can't eat an entire meal of anything that I used to.  I keep nuts and granola bars in my desk, along with cheese in the fridge at work and usually some fruit too.

Food cravings and aversions: Between those queasy feelings and food aversions, you’ve probably kept your weight gain down. And that’s okay — baby’s nutritional needs are minuscule at this point. But even so, you don’t want to go crazy on the cravings. It’s okay to indulge once in a while, or eat a bite-sized piece of chocolate instead of a brownie, but if your cravings are getting out of hand, try some distractions: Call a friend, read a book, head to the gym, or go for a walk.   Not too bad here.  A craving here and there.  Mostly "food" stuff though, not sweet stuff.  I splurge with a Reese's PB cup or cookies here and there, but not very often at all.  Biggest craving has been starches still (pasta, grilled cheese and bread). 

Heartburn and indigestion: Never had this until my pregnancy with Baby "E".  None yet, and I'll be ecstatic if it stays that way.

Occasional headaches: What accounts for these new pregnancy headaches? Blame hormones (they’re a convenient scapegoat!), but other triggers include fatigue (check), hunger (check), and stress (check).Your doctor will probably okay acetaminophen but not ibuprofen. It’s also worthwhile to try other ways to soothe your savage head: Lie down in a dark room, put a cold compress on your face or neck, or take fresh-air breaks.  Only had a couple the last few weeks and some regular Tylenol helped. 

Occasional faintness or dizziness: None of this, thank goodness.

Lower abdominal achiness: Like so many pregnancy symptoms, round ligament pain (which is just a fancy name for those growing pains in that burgeoning belly of yours) is probably something you never expected. What’s causing them? The ligaments that support your belly are stretching out (and getting thinner); and as your belly gets heavier, the weight pulls on the ligaments, causing pain (sharp or dull). The best thing to do is get off your feet and get comfy.   Mostly dull so far.  Just here and there, so no worries.

Graduation

A milestone for this journey.  We have now graduated from the clinic to my OB, although I will continue all meds until 10 weeks.  I will call soon to get the first appointment scheduled.  So exciting!!

9 Weeks

C & W's Baby in Week 9 of Pregnancy

The baby, now the size of a green olive, has grown about an inch since last week. Tiny muscles are beginning to form, so while he might not be ready to pump iron, he's gearing up to move his arms and legs. It's still too soon to feel anything in your belly, but you might be able to hear something at your next checkup. Try listening for your baby's heartbeat via a Doppler device — that welcome sound should be audible anytime now.

(Sadly, I have a retroverted uterus, so it will still be a few weeks before we can pick up the heartbeat with my Doppler.)

What's going on with My Body in Week 9 of Pregnancy

Chances are you've never felt so tired in your life and for good reason: Your body is working overtime preparing as it develops the placenta, the baby's lifeline. At the same time, your metabolism and hormone levels are surging, which triggers a decrease in blood sugar and blood pressure. The result of all this: pregnancy fatigue. Relief is around the corner as your energy level increases (and morning sickness decreases) over the next few weeks once placenta construction is completed.

Definitely feeling the fatigue.  : )

2nd Ultrasound Appointment

Today was our 2nd ultrasound.  C & W are traveling, so weren't able to make it to this one.  We were going to try to reschedule for Tuesday, but they wouldn't be able to make it then either, so we just decided to keep the appointment for today.  I decided to take the afternoon off because I had to get some A/C work done, so figured I would head home after the ultrasound appointment.  Went into work and was pretty busy, so definitely kept my mind occupied.  I was so excited for the appointment.  As I walked out of the office for my appointment, my mind wondered a little and wasn't too happy with it.  I knew in my heart that everything was fine and the appointment would be great, but honestly, I went through so much with the 1st cycle of my last journey and with the chemical on our first try this time, I think I wanted to prepare myself for everything.  As much as I didn't want to think anything negatively, it's like I just couldn't keep myself from doing it.  Anytime a negative thought would enter, I would just think of something positive.  "Everything is fine", "I'm still having all my symptoms", "I haven't had anymore bleeding"......I would send thoughts to the baby, "Your mommy and daddy love you so much already", "They are so excited", "Just keep growing", "stay strong".

Before I became a surrogate, some of the negative thoughts would have never crossed my mind.  I always think of the saying, "ignorance is bliss", because in this situation, it totally is.  You become so much more aware of all the things that could happen through this process.  Definitely my least favorite part, but I've learned to deal with it. 

I got to the RE's office and didn't have to wait long before being called back.  I did however, have a bit of a wait once I got in the room.  I was so excited and anxious to see what was going on with this little one.  The nurse came in to let me know that he Dr. was with another patient and running a little behind.  I totally understood.  I just think of the last ultrasound and how they saw me unexpectedly when I had my bleeding episode.  Maybe someone else was going through the same thing.  I could wait a little longer.  The Dr. finally came in after about 30 minutes.  She asked me how I was doing and if I had any more bleeding.  I told her that I hadn't and then she started the US.  Just a few seconds after starting, she said that everything is looking good and that the baby is much bigger than the last time.  Measuring around 8w4d and HB was 167!!  Yea!!!  So excited for C&W and this little sweet pea.  Dr. said baby is measuring a little under an inch long.  Amazing!  At the end of the appointment, I recorded the Dr. telling about the parts of the baby.  The head and how the brain is developing, the arm buds, the heartbeat, the cord and the blood going through it and then the leg buds too.  It was so nice of her.  I texted the video to C&W right after the appointment.  Now we just wait for them to send the report to the clinic in Houston and then wait for the next steps.  I'm still on PIO each day and 1 vaginal Estrace and Prometrium each night.  I think my next appointment will be with my OB.  ; )  I am so much more at ease now and can't wait to keep watching this little one grow!