Quick Update

 So yesterday (11/12/11), the Doctor (Hancock), came in to see me.  He was really positive, and reduced my monitoring.  I only have to be monitored on the contraction monitor for 9 hours a day unless I feel something.  He also made the comment that he feels like we are dealing with an incompetent cervix, instead of preterm labor, which is very promising!

11/13/11
Today, the doctor didn't check me, he just came in to chat.  (They don't want to check all of the time, because it can cause something to happen).  Anyway, he acted like he didn't want to send me home at all, just to be safe.  It was kind of disappointing, BUT, I do feel more comfortable being here and being able to be monitored whenever I feel necessary.  Plus we live far away, which is scary to think if something happened at home, we would have a 40 minute drive to get here.  So, minor disappointment, but for an important reason.  Just more hanging out here!  BTW-the baby was on the heart monitor today and got the hiccups....funniest thing!

I guess I don't have to worry about driving in bad weather or slipping on the ice!!!

Busy Week

The week started off pretty well.  We had an appointment on Monday with  the Glucose test and an ultrasound.  The glucose test was better than perfect, and the baby actually cooperated right away.  We found out we are having a little princess, and she wasn't so shy this time.  However, we did get some bad news.  My cervix measured very thin, which concerned the Doctor Danbier.  He told me that I needed to come back the next day to do a fetal fibronectin test done.   (I had no clue what that was at the time). 

So that night, we took it kid of easy.  Audrey took us out and got some cute maternity pictures while we still had nice weather (above is one of my faves!) 

The next day (Tuesday), I got ready for work, then met Aaron at the Doctor's office.  He did the test and checked my cervix, then told me to go home and lay down til he called me.  So we went home, and I laid on the couch and worried for 3 hours.  I called the office to see what was going on, and talked to the doctor.  He said that the test came back positive (which essentially means that my cervix was producing the protein to send me into early labor. He told me to pack up, and to go check into Mercy hospital into the Maternity Triage center for overnight observation and some steroid shots.  I got a steroid shot that night (to help the baby's lungs develop faster).  We thought we would only have to stay that night, through the following night to get my other shot.  I forgot to mention that he said that I'm officially on bed rest til the baby gets here.

The next morning (Wednesday), the on-call doctor (Dassanyake) came to check my cervix and said that I had dilated to 1 cm overnight, and she wanted me to stay a few more days for more observation.  I had a pretty good day and night, with minimal contractions-nothing that was consistent or alarming. 

Thursday, the on call doctor (Turner) came in to see me.  She didn't check my cervix, because she didn't want to get anything stirred up in there (which I appreciated-because its not pleasant).  She said she wanted me to stay through the weekend to be safe, and that they would check me and see how the bed rest was doing for my cervix.

Today (Friday), the on call Doctor (Hancock) came in to see how I was doing.  He checked me and said my cervix was still at a 1cm, which is good.  He said that since he didn't have a crystal ball, that he agreed with doctor Turner about me staying the rest of the weekend.  He didn't feel comfortable sending me home yet-which is fine with me, because we live 40 minutes away, and there is no contraction monitor there.  I feel safer here, as much as I would love to sleep in my own bed.

We are just hanging out tonight, and trying to behave ourselves.  The nurses here are incredible, and are so attentive.  I still have bathroom privileges, which is wonderful-because going in a bed pan doesn't sound appealing to me.  I don't know if I will really get to go home after the weekend, but I trust the doctors to make the right decision.  We are just trying to stay relaxed and not stress to make sure the baby stays relaxed...she seems to be a little impatient though.  I don't know where she gets that from :).

Baby Update

 So I'm 21 weeks and 6 days which is over half way there! We tried to find out what we were having a few weeks ago, but the baby was sitting cross-legged...naughty!  (I think SHE is sitting lady-like).  Everyone thinks I'm having a girl except Aaron's parents.  Funny story, the other day I was helping this adorable old Chinese woman and she said (in a thick Chinese accent): "you have baby in there?" (I said yes) "you know if it boy or girl" (I said no) "it girl, I know"...it cracked me up!


Anyway, the important thing is that the baby is healthy, and growing at a good rate! We have been busy getting ready.  We have been going to baby classes every Monday this month-which have been awesome! I feel like I have learned so much and I feel much more prepared for February. We had another 1 day class last week, and another 1 day class tomorrow just to learn about other things baby-related.  This weekend, we are going to start on the baby's room.  Aaron and I cleaned out the room the other day, and Aaron tore out the carpet.  We are going to put hard wood floors in and paint and set up the furniture.  I'm really excited!


We are doing pretty well.  I'm crazy emotional sometimes.  Like anytime someone is crying on tv, talking about military or a sad commercial, I start to tear up.  Its annoying.   Other than that, my back and feet hurt all of the time, but I'm pretty sure they hurt all the time before I was pregnant.  Now they just hurt more and they hurt earlier in the day!


We have another doctor's appointment the first week of November, with an ultrasound, so hopefully we will find out the gender then!

Update

Well, I've waited long enough.  I'M PREGNANT!!!!  I think most of you know now.  I actually found out on June 24th when I went in for a Pap right after my last post.  It has been crazy.  I have been super sick and I rarely feel good, but I know its for a good reason. I have been very nauseous and I am tired all of the time.  My back always hurts and lately I have had a headache every night.  Its all worth it!

I had an Ultra sound around 6 weeks, and saw a very tiny baby-it was really early.  I had another Ultrasound when I went to Missouri a couple of weeks ago, because I was spotting and freaked out.  I went to the ER that night-which was the dumbest decision I've ever made.  They are worthless.  Anyway, I got in to the OB the next day and she did an ultrasound to make sure the baby was ok.  That time the baby looked much bigger.  We had a our new OB appointment yesterday and got the agenda and had tests done.  I have a big bruise from where they drew blood-which is typical.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell those of you who I hadn't told yet.  This is still not Facebook public, so don't post anything, its still kind of secret!!!

Love you!!!

Couple things...

Well we had a FABULOUS time in Saint Louis.  It was a perfect week that we got to share together and not worry about anything!

So since my last post, I had a little spotting for a couple of days, but today its gone.  So, who knows-I think I had something similar last month.  I have a message for the doctor to call me to schedule our follow-up appointment since its been 2 months since I started this new medicine.  I am not sure what he's going to want to do since I goofed up my meds this month.  We'll see.

I started Weigh Watchers last week.  I am attending meetings with Terry (Aaron's mom) and Audrey and Sharon are on it too.  We are all working together to stay motivated.  I want to lose weight before I get pregnant, mainly to be more healthy for the pregnancy, and so its easier to lose after having the baby.  My first week, I lost 1.6 lbs, so I'm off to a slow start, but its better than no start!  I'll keep you updated on how its going.

Love you all!

Update!

So, we made it through the first month.  I didn't get too sick with the meds-I had some hot flashes during the Femara, but nothing that made me want to barf.  I wasn't pregnant after the first month, so now we are on the second month-we started over.  I goofed up the meds when I started taking them...dumb dumb dumb.  I started a day late, and then I realized on about the 3rd or 4th day that I was only taking one Femara at a time instead of 2.  So, who knows what that will do.  We will probably be trying again next month-but I won't goof the meds the next time.  Also-weird thing-I have been breaking out a lot...must be all the crazy hormones!

We are in Saint Louis right now for our anniversary.  We celebrated 3 years of marriage last Tuesday and couldn't be happier.  We are going to take advantage of my fabulous Christmas present tomorrow night by going to the Cardinals/Cubs game and sitting SO close!  I can't wait!!!!

We have been working hard at work, and on the house (basement-finally) and working at helping Audrey, Zach and Sharon move Pet Kingdom by getting the new building ready.  We both love spending time not only working on the building, but spending all of our free time over there and playing with the girls...They are getting SO big!!!

Us outside of the City Museum in STL

Sooo, I haven't had my computer for a couple weeks...

The doctor had me go in and have a Progesterone test taken to see if my levels were good.  He said  that they were consistant with ovulation, which means that the medicine is working! However, I started my period 3 days ago, so I'm not pregnant. 

Time to start over!  I goofed up and took my Femera on the wrong day...so hopefully that won't mess anything up too bad...

Aaron

I forgot to mention-Aaron is about back to normal! He will be on regular duty starting on Thursday.  (For those of you who don't know-Aaron had hernia surgery last month, so he's been on restricted duty at work.)  Thank goodness he is better! 

Diet time

Well, I went shopping with Audrey today. We are going to try a diet that mimics the Medifast diet that Tina is on. Hopefully, I will lose some weight before I get pregnant!

The medicine isn't too bad. I haven't had any nausea, which is good. The Femera gives me hot flashes, but nothing too bad. Hopefully I will get pregnant this first try, so I don't have to take the medicines for very long!

I baked my face and chest today! I laid in the hammock and fell asleep for an hour in the sun, it was great. I'm a little red, but oh well, I love the sun!!!!

Ok so far!

So today is the second day on Metformin, and I have been fine so far! Aaron made sure to buy me some crackers to take to work with me so that I can keep a full stomach. I start taking my Femera tonight-so we will see how the combo of the medicine makes me feel! Pray for no tummy aches!

Have a great Easter weekend!

News from the Doctor

So FINALLY, we got our insurance changed, so that we could go to the doctor and get this baby making underway. Here is the process so far (starting from the beginning).

We have been trying for about a year with no success. My evil period started coming back constantly, so they put me back on birth control to stop it. SOOO, we've just been waiting for our insurance to change to go talk to the doctor.

I had my first appointment last Friday. After talking to the doctor, he said "sounds like you're not Ovulatory, so he had me come back in on Monday for blood work and an ultrasound. Turns out it wasn't the gooey on your tummy ultrasound...poor Aaron-he was mortified!!! I think he was much more uncomfortable than I was! Anyways, we went back on Tuesday to talk about the results.

On Tuesday, Dr. Feltz went over the results with me. He said all of the blood work came back fine (so no thyroid problem or diabetes etc). Then he showed me the results of my ultrasound. He said that I have a "soft" case of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Essentially, my ovaries never finish developing eggs, so he prescribed me some medicine. I am going to take Metformin, and then on days 3-7 of my cycle, I'm going to take Femera. They essentially should fix my ovaries and hormones so that I should ovulate properly, so I can have some babies!

Aaron and I are both SUPER excited!!!! More to come...like how sick the medicine makes me :/