Update

 I just happened to see an old link to this blog saved on a different browser and clicked. I saw some people still visit to see the DPO progression pics. But for those who have visited here seeking some hope, I felt the responsibility to post an update. I remember finding old blogs that stopped abruptly and wondering what happened, unable to finish the story. It was frustrating at times.

So, anyways... here's the BLUF/TLDR/or whatever you want to call it:

- My IVF pregnancy in 2014/2015 was successful, had a scheduled c-section (due to breech presentation) 1 week early.

- I had a second successful IVF round in 2016 which resulted in boy/girl twins born by emergency c-section. They were born VERY early at 27 weeks and had a 3-month NICU stay. Although it was very touch and go at times, they are both very healthy and thriving now.

- I had a SURPRISE natural pregnancy in 2022. This very special little girl, I found out from my early blood test, has Down Syndrome. She also had some complications and had to have surgery on her 3rd day of life. She also had a repeat surgery a few days later due to complications. She is doing well now, and we all love her so much!

- I got a hysterectomy a little while after and thus concludes my fertility and childbearing journey.

Consider my blog abandonment fee paid. Not sure if I'll return with more, but hopefully this gives some closure to those who need it. And if you want to know the details, maybe we'll cross paths one day and I can tell you all about it. Or maybe I'll come back with more details and pictures. Who knows.

30 Weeks

30 weeks, big 3-0! Time feels like it's both creeping by and speeding by at the same time. Luckily (or not) I've found something to keep myself preoccupied. The blood sugars I've been testing since I failed my glucose tests have been all over the place. Yes I officially have gestational diabetes. Unfortunately, it's a little more complicated than regular type 2 diabetes. The placenta creates hormones that make the cells in your body less efficient at using the insulin you release to allow for more glucose for baby's needs. Just like our bodies will store fat at a moment's notice in preparation for starvation and not knowing when the next meal will be, the placenta doesn't realize that I will keep nourishing the little one!

So now many of my fasting numbers have been high, and foods that I eat on a regular basis have shown different numbers at different times. One of the meals I eat can range from 120 up to 170, and it's really frustrating. You can do everything right and still fail, how fun is that?!? I'll be bringing my log in to my next doctor's appointment at which time they'll determine if I need to go on medication or not. It would be either pill form or insulin.

We got a sneak peek of our little girl last week

She looks so peaceful! But she's also still breech! Footling breech to be exact, which is why I always feel like she's tap dancing on my private parts! I think we're still going to do the 32 week 3D scan out in town as well for some more pictures. I was kind of on the fence about it since I did get these for free at my MFM appointment. We'll see.

28 Weeks

28 weeks today! Over the hump into the third trimester, but still seems ages away. Haven't been posting muchas I've been trying to stay busy and make the time go by faster - and went on vacation, TWICE! It felt great as I don't usually take too many days of vacation in general.

On a more sour note - I failed my 1 hour glucose AND my 3 hour glucose. The 1 hour at my lab requires a level less than 135. Guess what mine was? 135! And then I failed two of my 3 hour tests, one of them by only 4 points. But if you exceed the numbers twice, then you fail. So I'll be checking my blood sugars for a while now. No medicine as of yet, just monitoring.

I'm hoping to get some things dones this week (nursery, taxes, other "stuff") and then spend some extra time with my new DSLR camera so I can be ready for some nice pics once she's here. Standby for practice pics!

21 weeks 6 days

Is it possible for the time to seem to go by quickly and slowly all at once? Because that's how I've been feeling lately! When I think back to starting the IVF cycle, it seems like yesterday, but I'm also watching the time tick by waiting to enter the third trimester as well. Of course, I'm sure I'll want time to stop as my due date gets closer.

Yesterday was amazing. I was sitting on the couch feeling little kicks and punches. They're getting a bit stronger now, but I still can't feel them from the outside yet. As I was sitting there watching my stomach, she kicked a nice one right in the center of my belly and I saw the bump on my shirt! I laughed out loud and it made me smile! I'll just consider that my Christmas present from her to me.

19 weeks 6 days

19 weeks and 6 days today, halfway there! Had a quick appointment today with my doctor. Everything went well, my uterus is measuring just at the belly button. I did find out from my MFM appointment last week that baby girl has a 2 vessel cord. I was kind of upset that they didn't tell me during the appointment. It's can be a big deal, but most babies come out perfectly normal. There's just some risks for certain issues such as missing kidneys, low birth weight, and during labor the contractions can cause a little more stress than usual on baby.

Thankfully, the kidneys and other organs were all visualized at my appointment and her growth was right on track. I'm thinking positive and not worrying about it too much unless I get a reason too down the line.

Only 2 more weeks left of work before vacation time, can't wait! Oh I also got a new camera to play with. I'm hoping to get lots of practice in now so I can be ready for lots of baby pictures!

Update: Maternal Fetal Medicine appointment

As of today, I am 18 weeks and 4 days! I had my appointment with the MFM specialist this week. They did ultrasound measurements, verified the sex (still a girl!), and took a look at the subchorionic hemorrhage. Thankfully, everything came out normal and my bleed has mostly reabsorbed! My ovaries are still pretty large, so I still have some physical limitations but I can deal with that. The doctor told me that my bleeding episodes were "very impressive" and so she wants to see me two more times, one around 30 weeks and another around 36 weeks just to make sure my baby girl is growing and within normal weight ranges.

The ultrasound tech also mentioned that she's sitting breech right now, and I wonder if that's why I haven't been feeling as much movement as I did the week before. I can't wait until she starts kicking harder and my husband can feel. (Yeah I know, I'll regret saying that later but I just waited so long for this!)

See, still a girl! :)

I'm really excited that everything is going well, and the holidays are finally here! I'm getting ready to stuff my face full of some yummy Thanksgiving food.

Update from 3D (sort of) Ultrasound - And Team Announcement!

So we went in for our 4D ultrasound at 14 weeks to find out the gender early. The owner said that 14 weeks would be fine for it, and if for whatever reason she was unable to see it we could come back for free in the next 2 weeks after. That was a win-win situation in my eyes, either find out the sex of our baby or get a free bonus ultrasound!

It was supposed to be a gender reveal plus a 4D (3D video = 4D ultrasound) BUT this little stubborn one inside of me decided not to uncross those legs for almost the whole time. So it really ended up being a 2D with 3D/4D sneak peek. But that's OK, because we were finally able to find out the gender!

On the top 2D ultrasound you can see a good picture of my current bleed (subchorionic hemorrhage). It's the black void between the sac and the uterus lining. The baby is almost staring right at it. I finally did get to see where the placenta was too, and it's on the opposite side of the bleed. BUT, what team are we you ask?
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TEAM PINK! I was totally not expecting that at all. For some reason I kept thinking boy. But, I wasn't holding out for either, I'm just happy to be this far. Though I must say the thought of having a girl and being sucked into the girly-girl world with frilly dresses and tea parties is sort of stressful. I've always been a tomboy.

So now I'm just waiting to get my specialist appointment. There wasn't an available appointment until the 25th of November. Sort of ridiculous but I still have my rental doppler. I check every other day or so just to be reassured by the heart beat. It was worked out well for me so far. I love it. Keeps me sane.