Saturday, June 16, 2012
Pregnancy announcement
It is our 5 year anniversary, so DH and I decided to share our good news with this picture on Facebook (we're big Illini fans, if you can't tell).
Thursday, June 14, 2012
15 week 1 day visit
We were back in again at the OB's office for my first visit since entering the second trimester. Throughout this time, we also found out that my original OB doesn't actually do deliveries anymore, which I was very, very sad about, but he recommended two other OBs in his practice. So we met with Dr. Crane today, who is likely the OB that will be delivering the twins especially if we had a scheduled C-section. We got an overall good feel about his expertise, albeit being rushed through our appointment a little.
I had more blood drawn for the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test, which we were told, was often done in conjunction with the first trimester screening that we did in week 11. So the test will give us more confirmation that the babies have a low risk of being born with trisomy 21 or 18 as well as check for markers of other diseases like spina bifida in the babies. For some reason, I thought we were already in the clear with a normal result in our first trimester screening... but I guess more confirmatory tests are always a good idea. I was however, relieved when Dr. Crane strongly recommended against doing any further testing (like an amnio) since the first trimester screen showed our risk to be in the lowest range possible.
Other than that, today's visit was short and a bit uneventful. DH and I were hoping for an ultrasound to see how the two little ones are doing, but we were discouraged when we didn't see an ultrasound machine in the room we were in. Instead, Dr. Crane used a pocket-size handheld Doppler to check the heartbeats of the babies. One baby's heartbeat was heard almost immediately, but he took a little time finding the second heartbeat (as you can imagine, LONGEST 10 seconds of my life). But he finally found it; he thought the second baby was just snuggling in a bit deeper towards the back of the uterus. He then took a measuring tape and measured the size of my uterus (fundal height), which he said was normal.
We then discussed a bit about delivery options. Dr. Crane asked if I was even considering a natural birth, and I just told him that I would do whatever option that is safest for the babies. In a nutshell, he said the safest option for twin pregnancies is often a C-section and the safest option for the mother is a natural birth, but the worst possible situation would be to deliver the first baby vaginally and then be forced to deliver the second baby in an emergency C-section. We do have plenty of time to think about this and we can certainly make more informed decisions when we are able to see how the twins are positioned.
Anyway, so far so good! Dr. Crane thought everything is looking great. We're due back in the OB's office in 4 weeks (he wants to see me every 4 weeks before week 20 and then every two weeks from week 20 through birth). No cool pictures today, unfortunately... Guess we'll have to wait for the 20 week appointment at the perinatal clinic in 5 weeks.
I had more blood drawn for the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test, which we were told, was often done in conjunction with the first trimester screening that we did in week 11. So the test will give us more confirmation that the babies have a low risk of being born with trisomy 21 or 18 as well as check for markers of other diseases like spina bifida in the babies. For some reason, I thought we were already in the clear with a normal result in our first trimester screening... but I guess more confirmatory tests are always a good idea. I was however, relieved when Dr. Crane strongly recommended against doing any further testing (like an amnio) since the first trimester screen showed our risk to be in the lowest range possible.
Other than that, today's visit was short and a bit uneventful. DH and I were hoping for an ultrasound to see how the two little ones are doing, but we were discouraged when we didn't see an ultrasound machine in the room we were in. Instead, Dr. Crane used a pocket-size handheld Doppler to check the heartbeats of the babies. One baby's heartbeat was heard almost immediately, but he took a little time finding the second heartbeat (as you can imagine, LONGEST 10 seconds of my life). But he finally found it; he thought the second baby was just snuggling in a bit deeper towards the back of the uterus. He then took a measuring tape and measured the size of my uterus (fundal height), which he said was normal.
We then discussed a bit about delivery options. Dr. Crane asked if I was even considering a natural birth, and I just told him that I would do whatever option that is safest for the babies. In a nutshell, he said the safest option for twin pregnancies is often a C-section and the safest option for the mother is a natural birth, but the worst possible situation would be to deliver the first baby vaginally and then be forced to deliver the second baby in an emergency C-section. We do have plenty of time to think about this and we can certainly make more informed decisions when we are able to see how the twins are positioned.
Anyway, so far so good! Dr. Crane thought everything is looking great. We're due back in the OB's office in 4 weeks (he wants to see me every 4 weeks before week 20 and then every two weeks from week 20 through birth). No cool pictures today, unfortunately... Guess we'll have to wait for the 20 week appointment at the perinatal clinic in 5 weeks.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Reaching my second trimester
I have to say, just a few months ago, it never even entered my mind
that I would be 13 weeks pregnant today. We were trying so hard to be
pregnant, our lives just consumed with numerous visits to the
infertility clinic, an insane amount of pills and timed injections, and
lots and lots of anxiety and uncertainty. We had maybe a tiny glimmer
of hope that kept us pushing through the journey. But believe me, it was
only a tiny glimmer. It was so small that we became too afraid to think
of a positive outcome, since it would only disappoint us if we got our
hopes up.
Ever since we got that positive pregnancy test, I've been pinching myself (figuratively, not literally) almost every day to make sure that I am not dreaming. To be where we are today, to be pregnant, to have reached the second trimester... today being today just made all of the blood, sweat, and tears over the last three years so worth it. I know that there are too many couples out there who are still trying, testing, hoping, crying, praying, wishing, dreaming. Some have been in this journey for years, far beyond what DH and I had to endure. I think about them and of our journey very often because I want to always remind myself (and DH) to never ever take where we are today, and our children, for granted.
Ever since we got that positive pregnancy test, I've been pinching myself (figuratively, not literally) almost every day to make sure that I am not dreaming. To be where we are today, to be pregnant, to have reached the second trimester... today being today just made all of the blood, sweat, and tears over the last three years so worth it. I know that there are too many couples out there who are still trying, testing, hoping, crying, praying, wishing, dreaming. Some have been in this journey for years, far beyond what DH and I had to endure. I think about them and of our journey very often because I want to always remind myself (and DH) to never ever take where we are today, and our children, for granted.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
First trimester screening = normal!
Heard back from the perinatal clinic today. The NT test and blood test from the first trimester screening came back normal, showing a low risk of Down syndrome or trisomy 18. What a relief!
Monday, May 21, 2012
First trimester screening (11 weeks 5 days)
Well believe it or not, we're about a week and a few days away from
the start of our second trimester. We had our first trimester screening
today and if you recall, the first trimester screening is an optional screening test for Down Syndrome and Trisomy 18.
I am happy to report that this visit went really well. Since we're having twins, I had to have my appointment at a perinatal clinic that specializes in high-risk pregnancies. The clinic was located on the hospital grounds of where I plan to deliver, so it was nice to see that we'd only be about 3 minutes away from the hospital (after we move to our new place in early Fall).
The visit was also far less overwhelming than my first OB visit, perhaps having had the information sunk in a lot earlier. The ultrasound technician did a pretty lengthy 30 minute ultrasound scan, taking over 20 pictures of every possible angle and measuring everything possible (I only came home with a few duplicates though). But today also marked another first... I got to see my babies in 3D, which was very, very cool. I didn't catch their length and weight measurements, but I did get to hear their wonderful heartbeats again and caught glimpses of the outlines of their brains, stomachs, and the umbilical cords.
The great news is that they are both growing normally, in accordance to their estimated due date. The tech said they're also reacting to the pressure from the ultrasound wand, which was a good sign. As a part of the screening, she measured the nuchal translucency (NT), which is almost like a pocket of fluid behind the baby's neck. Both of the babies had the fluid visible, but both appeared to measure within normal ranges.
By the way, the tech kept chuckling as she did the ultrasound since both babies were rather squirmy and active, and it was initially difficult for her to get some good shots of them. She even predicted that Baby A will be our stubborn child, since he/she was REALLY not cooperating with having his/her picture taken. But after much prodding (via ultrasound wand), she finally managed to get some good angles on him/her. Here are the 3D scans:
After the tech left the room, the perinatalogist came in and did another ultrasound, verifying everything that the tech had said. Her exact words were, "You can leave the clinic today knowing that the ultrasound is normal." What a relief to hear. She then went over some of my and DH's genetic history and reviewed some future steps in the unlikely event (she was very careful to say this) that the blood test comes back indicating a higher risk for Down Syndrome or Trisomy 18. Fingers crossed we won't have to go there!!! A painful finger prick later and some blood drawn, and I was home free. We should be expecting the results in about 3-5 days.
I was also reminded to come back for my 20 week fetal anatomy screening where we will most likely learn the gender of the babies, which will be in 8 short weeks! I can't wait. Any predictions so far?
I am happy to report that this visit went really well. Since we're having twins, I had to have my appointment at a perinatal clinic that specializes in high-risk pregnancies. The clinic was located on the hospital grounds of where I plan to deliver, so it was nice to see that we'd only be about 3 minutes away from the hospital (after we move to our new place in early Fall).
The visit was also far less overwhelming than my first OB visit, perhaps having had the information sunk in a lot earlier. The ultrasound technician did a pretty lengthy 30 minute ultrasound scan, taking over 20 pictures of every possible angle and measuring everything possible (I only came home with a few duplicates though). But today also marked another first... I got to see my babies in 3D, which was very, very cool. I didn't catch their length and weight measurements, but I did get to hear their wonderful heartbeats again and caught glimpses of the outlines of their brains, stomachs, and the umbilical cords.
The great news is that they are both growing normally, in accordance to their estimated due date. The tech said they're also reacting to the pressure from the ultrasound wand, which was a good sign. As a part of the screening, she measured the nuchal translucency (NT), which is almost like a pocket of fluid behind the baby's neck. Both of the babies had the fluid visible, but both appeared to measure within normal ranges.
By the way, the tech kept chuckling as she did the ultrasound since both babies were rather squirmy and active, and it was initially difficult for her to get some good shots of them. She even predicted that Baby A will be our stubborn child, since he/she was REALLY not cooperating with having his/her picture taken. But after much prodding (via ultrasound wand), she finally managed to get some good angles on him/her. Here are the 3D scans:
 |
| Profile of Baby A (heartbeat was 168 bpm) |
 |
| Front of Baby B (heartbeat was 169 bpm). In case you are wondering, no he/she isn't putting itself in a chokehold. The doctor said those lines by the head were just parts of the skull. |
I was also reminded to come back for my 20 week fetal anatomy screening where we will most likely learn the gender of the babies, which will be in 8 short weeks! I can't wait. Any predictions so far?
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
9 weeks 6 days OB visit
Went for my first OB visit today. First and foremost, everything is looking great with the twins today. The gestational sacs look healthy and so do both babies. In fact they were finally big enough to see with an abdominal ultrasound (they're about 1 inch long right now). While my OB didn't measure the heart rates or the fetal growth today (so sorry, no cool pictures today), the heartbeats were visible on the screen. In fact the ultrasound caught Baby A breaking into a series of different moves - first time I was able to visibly see fetal movement, which of course, was very cool.
But man oh man was today an overwhelming day. I gotta say, I'm kinda missing my fertility clinic a little bit with their handholding and my nurse's personalized attention and follow through. Perhaps I should have mentally prepared for this first visit. They asked us a million and one questions about our health history and family history, and in return, threw us a million and one pieces of information. The doctor then went over this abbreviated overwhelming list of topics:
1. Cord blood banking and see if my insurance covers it (it doesn't)
2. Alcohol is bad
3. A possible early delivery date (we are to expect an EDD of somewhere in week 36, which will be early November)
4. The possibility of a C-section, which we will have to do if one of the babies is breached.
5. First trimester screening between weeks 11 - 13 (which is like over the next two weeks) to screen for Down Syndrome and other trisomy disorders.
6. The choices we'd have if the screening comes back positive, including what the law says is legal (you can imagine my panic level at this point)
7. Other tests we should do if the test comes back positive or negative
8. The risks of miscarriages if we do other tests
9. Types of cheeses and fishes I should not eat
10. Types of cheeses and fishes I should eat
11. How to cook steak (he talked a lot about food)
12. Caffeine consumption (which he says I'm clear to have - whoopee!)
13. Makes sure DH cleans the cat litter
14. My symptoms and when they should go away
15. Stop zumba or kickboxing.
16. Light walking or running is fine, as long as my heart rate does not exceed 140 bpm.
17. That I will be seeing the OB at least once a month because of the twins (oh joy).
Right now I'm trying to digest it all and also schedule my appointment for the first trimester screening next week. Because I am carrying twins, unfortunately I will have to go to the perinatal clinic at the hospital for the screening, since it is considered high risk. Hopefully all continues to go well.
But man oh man was today an overwhelming day. I gotta say, I'm kinda missing my fertility clinic a little bit with their handholding and my nurse's personalized attention and follow through. Perhaps I should have mentally prepared for this first visit. They asked us a million and one questions about our health history and family history, and in return, threw us a million and one pieces of information. The doctor then went over this abbreviated overwhelming list of topics:
1. Cord blood banking and see if my insurance covers it (it doesn't)
2. Alcohol is bad
3. A possible early delivery date (we are to expect an EDD of somewhere in week 36, which will be early November)
4. The possibility of a C-section, which we will have to do if one of the babies is breached.
5. First trimester screening between weeks 11 - 13 (which is like over the next two weeks) to screen for Down Syndrome and other trisomy disorders.
6. The choices we'd have if the screening comes back positive, including what the law says is legal (you can imagine my panic level at this point)
7. Other tests we should do if the test comes back positive or negative
8. The risks of miscarriages if we do other tests
9. Types of cheeses and fishes I should not eat
10. Types of cheeses and fishes I should eat
11. How to cook steak (he talked a lot about food)
12. Caffeine consumption (which he says I'm clear to have - whoopee!)
13. Makes sure DH cleans the cat litter
14. My symptoms and when they should go away
15. Stop zumba or kickboxing.
16. Light walking or running is fine, as long as my heart rate does not exceed 140 bpm.
17. That I will be seeing the OB at least once a month because of the twins (oh joy).
Right now I'm trying to digest it all and also schedule my appointment for the first trimester screening next week. Because I am carrying twins, unfortunately I will have to go to the perinatal clinic at the hospital for the screening, since it is considered high risk. Hopefully all continues to go well.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
8 weeks 1 day ultrasound
We had our last visit at the fertility clinic today. According to the RE, everything is looking great in there. Here are some pictures from this morning's monitoring.
OK I just have to share the twins' portrait first. This picture is my absolute favorite because Baby A (on the left) looks like he/she is waving on the screen. Baby B just kinda lazes around (already taking after me apparently).
Baby A measures 17.03 mm, right at 8 weeks 1 day.
Of course we had to take videos of the heartbeats again this morning. My favorite sounds in the world so far! Our Baby A's heartbeat was a strong 178 bpm.
OK I just have to share the twins' portrait first. This picture is my absolute favorite because Baby A (on the left) looks like he/she is waving on the screen. Baby B just kinda lazes around (already taking after me apparently).
 | ||
| Twins' portrait |
 | |
| Baby A |
We were also happily bemused when the doctor announced that both babies are now developmentally the same gestational age (they were one day apart in our last ultrasound).
 |
| Baby B |
Baby B measures 17.06 mm, also at 8 weeks 1 day.
And here's the heartbeat for our little Baby B at 174 bpm.
Bloodwork results are normal as well. My beta numbers are up to 162,791 and my progesterone level is looking good. In fact, they are stopping my progesterone in oil shots (I can almost break into a happy dance for this one because as you know, they are brutal), estrace, and metformin. I'm now on progesterone suppositories twice a day, which is probably a million times better than these shots. And I'm down from taking 12 pills a day to only 3... what a win for me!
We left our clinic today with a big smile and a bunch of parting gifts: a USB of our ultrasound pictures, a parenting magazine, and my medical records. The nurse said this morning, "Congratulations, you've graduated from the clinic!" Graduating from the clinic sounds about right because truly, I feel like we have accomplished something. Something meaningful, something truly amazing that's nothing short of a miracle. We are pregnant and in a few months, we are going to be parents. We are building our family. The joy of just getting to where we are today is truly a triumphant one for us, given the odds.
This afternoon, after my nurse's update on my bloodwork, we said a joyous but bittersweet goodbye to each other. After over three years of trying to conceive, it's hard not to feel emotional about the wonderful people that you meet throughout this journey. Hopefully we'll continue to meet wonderful folks who will support us for the next part of our journey.
Well, what's next? We're now moving forward to my regular OBGYN, who will continue to care for the pregnancy for the next 8 months. We have an appointment on May 8th (one that is thankfully NOT at the crack of dawn anymore). Hopefully things continue to go smooth sailing for our little ones in there.
We left our clinic today with a big smile and a bunch of parting gifts: a USB of our ultrasound pictures, a parenting magazine, and my medical records. The nurse said this morning, "Congratulations, you've graduated from the clinic!" Graduating from the clinic sounds about right because truly, I feel like we have accomplished something. Something meaningful, something truly amazing that's nothing short of a miracle. We are pregnant and in a few months, we are going to be parents. We are building our family. The joy of just getting to where we are today is truly a triumphant one for us, given the odds.
This afternoon, after my nurse's update on my bloodwork, we said a joyous but bittersweet goodbye to each other. After over three years of trying to conceive, it's hard not to feel emotional about the wonderful people that you meet throughout this journey. Hopefully we'll continue to meet wonderful folks who will support us for the next part of our journey.
Well, what's next? We're now moving forward to my regular OBGYN, who will continue to care for the pregnancy for the next 8 months. We have an appointment on May 8th (one that is thankfully NOT at the crack of dawn anymore). Hopefully things continue to go smooth sailing for our little ones in there.
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