An Unexpected Trip to Labor & Delivery

If you read some of my previous posts, you may recall I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions on & off since I was about 22 weeks. I first found out about them during an ultrasound, where you could clearly see it occurring, even though I didnt feel it. Soon after that, I started feeling them on my own. I wasnt getting them daily, probably every few days, and when I did I would just drink more and lay on my side. 

Anyways, fast forward to this past week…I noticed they had been increasing in frequency, although I had not been doing anything different. I started getting them daily, and they still persisted when I drank extra. I tried not to worry (ha!) and started trying to keep track of just how often they were coming. At their peak, I was getting about 3-4 an hour and they each lasted about 10 seconds or so. I also started feeling slightly crampy in the midst of them.

Hubby & I decided to make a trip to labor & delivery just to be safe. I told him I would never forgive myself for ignoring something that perhaps could have been handled properly if it turned out badly in the end. He agreed. 

They rushed us right in, and got me hooked up to the machine for my first ever NST. The nurses were really nice, and they checked in on us periodically to update how Miracle was doing and if they saw any contractions. Of course (Murphys Law) no contractions were seen on the monitor the entire hour it was on me. Baby boy was doing great, very active, heartrate steady. 

The doctor on call decided to do an FFN test as well just to make sure we werent missing anything. Instead of me explaining what the test entails, here is the sheet they gave me on it-

We had to wait about an hour for these results, and thank the good Lord, they came back negative. No labor at least for 2 weeks! Everyone was very pleased about this. My urine also came back negative for any types of infection or signs of dehydration. In the end, they chalked up the contractions to BH and an irritable uterus. 

Upon discharge, they instructed us to come back if the cramps got worse, or if the contractions increased to just a few minutes apart. They also reassured us that we should come at anytime, better to be safe than sorry. I really appreciated that. Never having been this far along in a pregnancy, its hard to know what is considered “normal” or not. At least now we can rest easy that all is okay! 

I Will Never Forget

Although we have finally made it to a point in our pregnancy where we are very hopeful we will bring our rainbow baby home, it doesnt mean I will ever forget. 

I’ll never forget the sleepless nights dreaming of what it would be like to become pregnant and watch my belly grow. To feel life inside of me. 

I’ll never forget the desperation every month to see 2 pink lines. The timed intercourse over & over again, the old wives tales I held on to, organic foods I stuffed myself with, and the vitamins I overdosed with time & time again. 

I’ll never forget the disappointment and heartache month after month when it never happened on its own. Ever. 

I’ll never forget how scary every single treatment I had was. Every shot, ultrasound, IV of anesthesia, blood draw, d & c, egg retrieval, fibroid removal, hysteroscopy, HSG, tube removal, MRI, SIS, and transfer.

The various emotions I felt monthly, if not daily…bitterness, denial, hope, sadness, excitement, fear, anger, love, jealousy, peace, rage, the list goes on. 

I’ll never forget all the 2 week waits and the bargains I tried to make with God. If you….then I’ll…

I’ll never forget all the arguments and money spent trying to have a baby, something that should be so easy. 

I’ll never forget how I had to put my career on hold to be able to carry our baby. Something most women can do without a problem. Why couldnt I be normal too? 

I’ll never forget all the tears shed every pregnancy that was stolen from us.

I’ll never forget what it was like to hold my breath everytime I went to the bathroom pregnant, praying for no blood. 

I’ll never forget all the family and friend gatherings I avoided over the years to remain somewhat sane. 

I’ll never forget the anger and why’s I yelled out to God. 

I’ll never forget all of the endless trips to the doctor and psychologist. The anxiety attacks, nightmares, and medications that followed. 

I’ll never forget all the nights I tried to self numb my pain and distract myself but it never worked. Shopping trips, yoga, girls nights, drinks, date nights, you name it. 

I’ll never forget all of those pregnancy announcements that seemed to come so easy for some. The endless bump shots and ultrasound photos I couldnt bare to see at times. 

I’ll never forget what it feels like to be left behind or misunderstood. Gut wrenching. 

I’ll never forget the conversations based solely around kids and being the only one in the group without one. Trying to find an excuse to get away before bursting into tears. 

I’ll never forget what it was like to fake a smile just to get through the days without having to explain. 

I’ll never forget the support of those who picked me up when I needed it the most. 

I’ll never forget all of the people in this community who helped me realize I wasnt alone. Oh the gratitude. 

I’ll never forget all the babies we lost. Every date is forever in my heart. 

I’ll never forget that we are in fact infertiles and suffer from recurrent pregnancy loss. 

And I’ll never truly feel we “beat infertility” as it will always be a part of us. Always. 

Diary of a Pregnant Woman, Vol. 4

We attended the Breastfeeding 101 class at the hospital this past week. I had already been to a prior boob class hosted by some local doulas, but that was with a friend and not with hubby. Hubby wanted to learn, and I figured the more info the better. And I did actually pick up on a few things that I hadnt in the doula session. Main points of the class-

• Day 2 of breastfeeding is the hardest 
• Various feeding positions (we practiced with dolls)
• The 9 stages of the first hour after birth leading to feeding (the “golden” hour)
• How much and how often baby feeds 
• The role dad can play in the process (bring baby to mom, burp baby before and after, change baby before & after, make sure baby is latched right, positions, etc.) 
• Bring pillows to the hospital so you are comfy breastfeeding 
• When to introduce bottles
• The benefits of breastfeeding 

And so much more! Im SURE this will be a learn as you go process, but hopefully we are well equipped with some strategies to help us should we run into any trouble. If not, the lactation specialists seem quite helpful too. 

News this week?

One of my best friends had her baby girl! She welcomed her into the world on 9/22 (first day of fall!) about a week past her due date. We visited them at the hospital and she is absolutely adorable! It was very surreal for hubby and I to go to the hospital to visit a baby. We have NEVER done this before. Its always been too hard. I was still nervous deep inside, but also so incredibly happy for them. I cant wait to raise our sweet babies together!! 

We are just over 27 weeks preggo now. I cant believe the 3rd trimester and our second viability goal of 28 weeks is upon us. Thank you, God! After this, it is 32 weeks. Getting there will be such a sigh of relief. Praying the time goes by without a hitch…our baby shower is in 2 weeks (all the RSVP’s are in & we will have just over 30 attending), and then our maternity photos. Also, our weekly labor & delivery classes begin & a few doctor appointments to see Miracle again.

I sent my RE some recent pics of me, hubby, & baby Isaac via Facebook. I hadnt talked to her since we were about 16 weeks and I missed her! We chatted back & forth, and I thanked her again for all she did for us over the past 3 years and 4 IVF cycles. She never gave up on us. After our boy is here we will surely be taking him in to see her! Oh, and I snuck in the question about our 1 & only frozen embryo left…what is the recommended time frame between delivering a baby and transferring an embryo? Answer-1 year. Hubby & I have some plans about it, but Ill save that for a much later post. Lets just get Miracle here safe & sound! 

Symptoms? 

Braxton Hicks. The other day they were very frequent and I got worried and thought about heading to L & D for a check. Thankfully, they subsided and I didnt need to go. Stay away BH!  

Baby boy & my uterus have def grown because Im feeling him and seeing him above my belly button now. So crazy, yet amazing at the same time. 

Diary of a Pregnant Woman, Vol. 3

We completed session 2 of the Parenting & Infant Care Class this week. Let me tell you, session 2 was MUCH better than session 1! If you recall, session 1 was basically all the ways you can kill your baby. Session 2 not at all. Instead we learned-

• How to properly burp baby 
• How to change baby’s diaper
• How to swaddle baby right (I think this was our favorite)
• How to put a shirt on baby correctly 
• How to bath baby
• How to care for the circumcised weenie
• How to take care of the umbilical cord site 
• Some normal infant conditions not to worry about (cradle cap, swollen scrotum, rash, etc.) 
• Different brands and types of products for baby (bum creams, bottles, nipples, detergents, diaper brands, etc.) 

Overall, it was an enjoyable class! Unfortunately, the instructor must have scared away quite a bit of the group from session 1, as only a few people showed up for session 2. Next week, we have our breastfeeding class at the hospital together. Hubby will attend as they go over dad’s role, and we both want him to be involved even though I plan to breastfeed. 

We are 26 weeks today!! Can you believe it? I can’t! Last week, Miracle had his first growth scan at the MFM. He was in the 65% percentile and close to 2 lbs. My cervix measured over 3 again, heartbeat in the 140’s as usual, and the report was great. As hubby & I sat in the doctors office and she said “I got nothing, all looks as it should,” we just looked at each other in awe. Hearing nothing is wrong never gets old after you have heard something is wrong so much. Since all has continued to go well, they dont want to see me back until I enter the 3rd trimester in a few weeks. This is the longest I will have gone without an appointment! But I believe I can do it! 

Symptoms? 

Other than the 30 lb weight gain total, headaches this week. Braxton Hicks still happening. Carpal tunnel continues at night and at times like this when Im typing! Food not sounding as good as Id like it to. Peeing A LOT. In fact, the other night baby boy must have been right on top of my bladder. It felt as if his foot was pushing on it and pressure was going to my cervix. It was like a pinching feeling and Id jump when Id feel it. I did not like it bc I thought he might be on his way out! I kept peeing and finally he moved away. Phew! 

The best symptom? He is still kicking away, and even though its early, I do a kick count everyday and he passes. Thank God. 

Exciting news?

Someone bought the carseat off our registry for us! Really happy because obviously this is a neccessity. After the shower in a few weeks, we will install it and have a car seat inspector check it out. The hospital gave us the info of the offices who do this in the area & I thought what a great service! I guess so many people install them wrong & have no clue until its too late. 

My bff from Ohio is coming to my shower! Along with 2 of my cousins and two of my aunts from up north. I feel so honored, and cant wait to see them.

A couple bump pics of me lately…

Thinking of you all…

The Diary of a Pregnant Woman, Vol. 2

So this week has been full of appointments as usual. 

• Appointment with OB-routine visit, checked urine, blood pressure, weight, Isaac’s heartbeat, and (new this visit) fundal height. She said my fundal height was measuring a little large for how many weeks I am. I didnt bother asking for a number. My mentality is Id rather it be larger than smaller. I got my glucola drink and scheduled that appointment. Praying I pass! 
• We talked about baby’s movement at the appt. Ive been somewhat worried because I hear so much about all these women feeling strong movement pretty early on. Even though I felt flutters at 15 weeks and the intensity has definitely picked up, the movement is still quite sporadic. Like for instance, I might feel him in the early morning, but then not again until nighttime. So she told me that even though its early, try to count the kicks and I would probably be pleasantly surprised. I followed her instructions the past few days (drank something cold and sweet, waited 20 minutes, laid down) and realized he is doing just fine. I feel at least 10 movements pretty quickly actually. Thank God! I guess I just needed to focus in on it more to see. 
• We interviewed a third (and final) pediatrician. 3 is enough, dont want to overwhelm ourselves with options. The places have consisted of 1.) a small, one doctor practice, 2.) a large, 6 doctor practice, and 3.) an in-between practice with 3 doctors. There are so many factors to consider when choosing a pedi (cleanliness, experience, on-site services, after hours, vaccines, wait times, hospital privileges, etc.) But honestly, for us, it really boiled down to a gut feeling. This is the same way we were with choosing our RE. We figure we can always change should we need to, but we are starting out at the smallest practice of the 3 practices. Glad thats taken care of!!

• We attended session 1 of 2 at the hospital for “parenting & infant care.” Can I just tell you how awful session 1 was? It should be called “all the ways you can kill your baby.” I understand that it’s reality and important to point out all the things that can happen in order to be preventive, but it was really tough for me to sit through the class. From drowning, to SIDS, to choking, to shaking baby, to poisons, fires, my gosh. And we were showed videos of actual situations where children died. Was that necessary? Ugh. Anyways, session 2 is supposed to be much better (according to both one of my friends who took it and the instructor herself), we will have fake dolls and change baby, burp baby, swaddle baby, etc.

• Tomorrow we go to the MFM for a 25 week growth scan. Praying all is on track. Will update soon on that. 

Aside from appointments, other news-

• All shower invites went out and people are starting to RSVP! Exciting, but hard to believe it is here in just a month. We have already started to receive some gifts from out of state family (over half of our list is out of state), and for any big items they send, we are keeping the boxes and plan to take those to the shower wrapped without the items inside (hubby’s idea and I love it!). The smaller ones we get wont be an issue to take with the contents inside of them. This way even the people out of state who cant make it will be celebrating with us that day! 
• I decorated for fall already. I love fall. I usually wait until it technically begins in a few weeks, but being home not working, I figured why not. Now if only the heat would go away. So over it. 
• I have been thinking pretty seriously about cloth diapering. I joined a few Facebook groups and started my own research. I should have prefaced this by saying my stomach has been weaker than it normally is not pregnant. Anyways, in a few of the posts I came across, several ladies were having trouble with bugs. In the dirty diapers. Like maggots or eggs, or whatever. That was it for me. I told hubby about it and he pointed out how we live in South Florida and its a possibility. No thanks. As a new mom, I cant say how often I would be washing these diapers yet or blame them for it. Ive had all kinds of freaking bugs around my house & I keep it clean. So the plan is to start with disposables, I registered for a few different kinds, and go from there. Maybe one day. End of story. 
• The closet in miracle’s room is pretty much done! I love it! 

Until next time!! 

Happy Birthday

Today baby Isaiah and his twin, who we lost on February 6, 2015, would be celebrating their 1st birthday’s. 

Its hard to believe they would already be 1. Which means our babies lost from IVF cycles 1 & 2 would be even older than that. Gulp. 

Although they were only with us for a short time, we miss them. We miss all the “could have been’s” that we will never experience here on Earth with them. And we look forward to the day we all meet again.

Happy Birthday babies. We know you are celebrating up above. Sending our love. 

Viability

Not only are the best months of the year finally here (the ‘ber months), but so is viability. We made it. 6 months pregnant. God is good! 

Our 24 week ultrasound today showed that baby is growing on track, now just over 1 and 1/2 lbs., my fluid level is good, and my cervix is still closed & long, measuring over 4. We are so thankful. 

I know I have said it before, but this is truly a day we did not think was possible after years of trying to conceive on our own, 2 failed IUIs, several major surgeries, 4 IVF cycles, & 4 consecutive losses. But here we are, one day closer to bringing our miracle baby boy home. I promised myself I would relax more once we got to this point, so I am really going to *try* my best to do so. 

Our goal is to make it to 28 weeks now. I have a feeling it will come rather quickly, as we have a growth scan at the MFM and my glucose test during the few weeks until then. Also coming up in a month is our baby shower for which the invites got mailed this week. I really cant believe all these things are so close! 

Today I got my hair cut and I scheduled an appointment for both my make-up and my hair to be done for our maternity photo session. It takes some pressure off of me, as I am lousy at doing both of these. In addition, I made a mani/pedi appt for the shower and the shoot. I think I am all set in this department!

Symptoms? 

Still having some BH contractions here & there but have found drinking water totally helps. That said, my new routine is to get up and drink 64 ounces before noon each day. I make sure I get the suggested amount out of the way and then I just sip the rest of the day. Thank God I am off work, or I wouldnt be doing this because basically I am in the bathroom peeing all morning long! Seriously. Ive never been a big drinker either so sticking to a schedule is really helping out.

In the middle of the night, my hands and arms have been going numb here & there. I guess this could be a sign of carpal tunnel? At least thats what my Ovia pregnancy app had pop up as a common thing this week. Im not too worried about it, I just shake them out and it goes away.

Im getting picky about food again. Things arent sounding as great as Id like them to. Ugh. Eating as healthy as possible though, trying to incorporate in each of the food groups everyday. Thankfully I havent wanted sweets much at all, hoping this will help me pass my sugar test! 

Other news? 

We got everything we need to create the closet system in miracle’s room. Now that we have the materials, we plan to work on it over the long weekend. Im excited because I have lots of clothes and items to organize in there! Hubby pointed out how we are going to be jealous of the baby’s closet…how is it that he has a better one than us already? Lol. I might as well get used to it, part of being a parent I know!