Pregnant and Fabulous? Expecting moms check in here!

Laura - glad to hear you are doing great. It's so exciting to be able to feel your little one that's for sure

Hugs
Chris

Laura- Wow, it really seems to be flying by! Like you I also want things to slow down, I'm so enjoying the kicks.

Gosh darn. My bp is not going below the 130s unless I'm lying like a bump on a log and even then it's only dropping to 128. It's been like this for three days now. Stupid bp.

Michelle, aka iloveyoudouloveme, EDD 6/4/12, team pink

I've been in the hospital for two months on bedrest due to a short cervix. My bp always hangs dangerously low but the doctors don't seem concerned.

Michelle, welcome to Share and to the preggo and fabulous thread! I'm sorry to hear you're on hospital bedrest, but also thankful that you are getting such closely monitored care. I look forward to your updates and hope that things from here on out are very uneventful for you!

Thank you!! I've started a blog, though a little late and I encourage any struggling, bed ridden, or scared mom to read it! I'll be updating as things change and progress. I had a March of Dimes volunteer tell me about this site and encouraged me to share my story and be on the helping end for women who may be struggling in my position. I look forward to my experience here and have enjoyed reading many of the stories and blogs so far!

Michelle: Welcome to Share, Im sure that long on hospital best rest is rough.. I could only imagine. Sending lots of prayers your way.

Ohh Ladies this whole Morning sickness thing is soo rough. Wouldnt be bad if it was strickly morning, but its all day even worst at night which is difficult when you work night, and trying to pack up a whole apartment and move into a house... Zofran isnt working to well.

Hope everyone else is holding up okay!

Thank you!!! I'm sorry you're so sick !! I read your blog two nights ago until like 1AM and by the end of it, I was crying and laughing. I'm hoping and praying for you that everything goes as planned and works out for the best. I have faith that it will and for some reason, I think you're having a girl so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for you!!

I seriously can not imagine. I've never had morning, afternoon or evening sickness. Yacked once with Akeelah and once with this lil' one, but only once and with Akeelah I did eat like two full plates of Chinese... it was worth it!! I can't imagine feeling junk every day!

Michelle- I saw you started a blog- they are awesome to keep! I don't know where I'd be with out mine.

This baby is going to pop out with one serious sugar high... I'm loving jelly beans.

Michelle: thank you soo much. Im thinking pink, but will be happy with boy or girl as long as he or she is healthy.

Lauren: Ugh, I soo wish I was like you! I wish I never had it LOL just want to enjoy this last pregnancy and not be miserably sick!!

I cant believe Im past the 9 week mark.. November 3rd seems sooo far away!!!

Samantha- It's going to fly by! Seriously, I can't believe we're already 23 weeks and some change! Viability here we come! And today... fetal echocardiogram here we come! Soooo sad to have to go the hospital knowin' my fav MFM is already way too many time zones away.

Love seeing you girls here.....that means these little ones are cookin' away!!!

Michelle (I think)....Welcome to Share!! Bedrest is tough, but we'll keep you occupied! I spent many weeks in the hospital as well, but would so do it again! I'm with ya on the low bp, but hey---we decided it's just because I was cool, calm, and collected. (Yeah, right!!)

Lauren~ Can't wait to hear updates on the little one!

Samantha~ I hope the sickies pass, but I know you're cherishing every moment....even the queasy ones!!

All you girls are great!! After two months in the hospital, they are discharging me next Monday. I'll be 32 weeks and I think I'll go into labor within the next two weeks but we'll see! I'm beyond ready. I told one of my nurses last night, being here for so long has made me feel like I've been pregnant for a year! Lol

Michelle~ welcome to the page and share. I can't imagaine being on bedrest for 2 months in the hospital. I bet you can't wait to be in your own bed.

Samantha~ I hope that the morning sickness is slowing down.

Lauren~ how's your BP been? I know what you mean about a sugar high. I would eat a candy bar almost everyday. I've been getting better about the candy.

Just a quick update on us. Kai is moving all around. I love feeling him move and watching him make my belly move. I'm 29 weeks today!!! I have had some tighning in my belly just on the one side where he's laying while walking sometimes. but then it goes away. I am seeing my new doctor on Monday. I'm a little nervous about the visit b.c I have to tell her about my history and what has been going on with this pregnancy. I'm also worried that she's not going to like me eating habbit with this pregnancy. She is big on healthy eatting to have a healthy baby. I eat healthy but I don't think I eat enough veggies. But I'm not going to stress myself out everyday wondering if I ate enough fruit and veg. I've been really enjoying this pregnancy and want to continue to enjoy every day of it and every movement Kai makes. I also wrote a blog so check it out too.

Hope all is doing great!

Lauar

Michelle- I bet! Hospital days go so much slower than home ones! Glad things are holding steady for you.

Laura- I absolutely can not believe you are already 29 weeks! That's so substantial! I'm sure your eating is fine... plus the body knows that baby is number one and saves all the good stuff for them. I hope Monday's appointment goes well.

Still some spikes, yesterdays 147/78 was an unhappy surprise, but otherwise it's ok. I did have some pitting swelling, but I think it was due to eating a lot of salt that day, my bp that day was super low, so I'm chalking it up to normal pregnancy stuff. Feeling well, so viability here we come!

Lauren- You are doing so well and so close to 24 weeks. Yay! It sounds like things are going more smoothly.

Laura- Congratulations on 29 weeks!

Michelle- Good luck going home. Two months in the hospital is long but you did a great job for your baby.

You all are doing so well. Congratulations. We can't wait to see the new babies..

Come to the community blog and check out the last part in our series on grief!

Infertility and Grief

So I’m not pregnant yet, but I have some happy news to report for a change. An unofficial MFM consult (friend of a friend) suggested some pre-conception bloodwork that was not recommended by my official post loss / pre-conception MFM consult. The friend-of-friend MFM said wait three months, have one normal cycle, get Antiphosphlipid (APA) bloodwork, and then can TTC. I waited as close to three months as I could stand and got the bloodwork two weeks ago. I called my doctor last week, AND…. drumroll please… my APA & thyroid levels are normal. Yeah!!! In the meantime I’ve had a normal cycle. Now I’m “essentially” cleared to TTC.

I say essentially because although my Ob Dr & the informal MFM consult said “3 months, 1 cycle, & normal APA” My official MFM consults said wait one year. This made me very sad as I can’t wait one year, I’ll get too anxious due to my age (35). Since I got conflicting advice I did my own research reading med. journals on interpregnancy interval so I understand the current thinking and can weigh my own risks (I’m a research scientist so this all comes natural). I think I’m better off TTC soon. I’m going to go with the opinion of the informal MFM consult & my ObDr.

One other bit of good news, my official MFM consults think I’m low risk as well (they don’t anticipate I’ll need to be under the care of an MFM). I think this is fabulous news! What happened with my pregnancy with James was just an extremely rare placenta defect and not something I’m at risk for again.

It hasn’t technically been 3 months post-partum yet, exactly 11 weeks today, but I feel good (physically). I’ve gone back to work and back to the gym, I’ve lost all but 9 lbs I had gained durng my pregnancy with baby James, I’m seeing a therapist, and my husband and I are strong together. Also I told my management that I’m no longer comfortable working in the lab as I just don’t want to have the “what-if” thought of did I expose myself to some of the chemicals I’m working with, and my management is supportive. So physically I think I’m ready. Emotionally, well I’m never going to get over loosing James, but I’m ready to take the risk of another pregnancy (which should be low-risk….). Wish me good health and strength.
Natalie

Natalie- So glad to hear the all good news! I'm hopeful that we'll be seeing your name on the expecting list when the time is right for you and hubby! You've clearly weighed everything, and when to TTC is always a very difficult decision after loss and complications. I wish you a very easy TTC road... and even easier pregnancy!

Oh grumble. My BP was bi-polar at the doctor today... 176/7x... if only we could just ignore the pesky top number and only go by the diastolic! After the appointment they took it again... 160/59! Love me some low diastolic... despise me some high systolic. I'm thinking today was stress related... running late and what not... but still have to do a 24hr. Oh well... I think the ladies at the lab have been missing me anyway.

Helllooooo!!! its me ESMIE again.. im back!!!! so my miracle baby is now 9 months.. and he is big and healthy and so active... just a great baby... so now im going for my second full term baby... im now 19 weeks preggo.. and ITS A GIRL:)!!!.. had my cerclage already at 14 weeks.. started my P17 shots yesterday and had a very theral scan yesterday aswell..and according to my DR... all looks great... so yes very happy camper here!! and here we go to full term!!!! have a great day everyone... hi stacy.. hi jackie...

Esmie- Nice to see you back momma! Congrats! I'm so glad to hear things are going well. Let me know if and when you'd like me to add ya back to the expecting list!

Alright ladies... place your bets... what will Lauren's 24hr protein come back at.... first at 10 weeks was 194... 2nd at 17ish weeks (I think) was 242....

I'm going with 147. Hey, it could happen!

If you guessed close to 400, you were right on the money.

Esmie congrats on a girl and everything going well with your pregnancy!

Just a little update there's more on my blog. I had my first visit with the Midwife on Monday it went well. Mostly just answered a bunch of questions, got messured and heard Kai's heartbeat. I go back on the 18th for the glucoste test. I am going to see the MFM on the 20 for a ultrasound to see if I can deliver at the birthcenter or if I have to deliver at the hospital b.c of my MTHFR. If I deliver at the hospital my midwife won't be the one delivering but she will be there with me. I really don't want a random doctor delivering and really don't want a male doctor to deliver. So far things are still going really good. I have had a few contractions but not long and nothing serious. 30 weeks today!!! I'm so exvcited but nervous at the same time. I have been enjoying this pregnancy and I just have 7-10 weeks left of it. I can't believe it.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

Laura

Lauren: No no no, not fair!! Where's a free pass?!

Laura: So glad that things are looking great for you!

Right?! We're gonna try bp meds, which honestly I'm kinda worried will actually make my bp too low, since at home I trend in the 130s, only when an MD is near by does my bp decide to jump to the 170s & 160s. And we'll rest as much as possible... do an ultrasound tomorrow just to be sure it's not negatively effecting the newbie.

I really thought this would be it, 3rd times a charm right?

Laura- Loved all the good news in the blog and here!

Oh Lauren, No! Sorry about the high BP numbers and high 24 hour urine results! So your BP is only high when you are with the doctors? Well that could be good, at least it isn't so high all the time....but that is weird!

Sorry I haven't caught up with you all lately, congrats and welcome to all of the "new" posters in the group! I wish you all a happy healthy full-term pregnancy.

Samantha, so glad you're over the stomach bug. You are having a hard enough time with just regular nausea.

I now have strep throat....seriously I have a new malady every week! At least it is nothing scary and my BP has been fine, but really my BP didn't go up until 26 weeks last time anyways, and then it was crazy high. I am on antibiotics for the strep, but really can't take any meds to make me feel better right away, like the steroid shots they usually give, or some good cold meds.

I am 16 weeks, 1 day. We have an u/s scheduled in 2 weeks, so we'll find out the baby's sex. My MIL offered to pay for me to get one of those private u/s, because I can get that next week at 17 weeks, and know a whole week earlier, lol. Very tempting, so I'm calling today. I'd just like to see the baby moving around in there, since I can't feel him or her yet!

Leigh

Right?! Maybe my plan should be to not go to any appointments, then I won't have any of those pesky spikes! I'm gonna guess they're not gonna go for that. I had a good email exchange with our fav MFM who helped put everything in context for me so I'm feeling a lil' less defeated. I'll have to blog about it later.

We got started on 200mg of labetalol, which hey, works! It's nice to see 113/60!

Lauren: whoa girl, your BP is crazy high and the protein levels! Are they keeping a close eye on you for pre-e? Or is it too early in the pregnancy for that to happen? I was pre-pre-e when i was pregnant -- my BP was sky high and my protein levels were 6 times higher than they should have been. It's crazy how our bodies react to our pregnancies. Other than all that -- are you feeling OK?

Leigh: sorry that you are having such a rough go of it. Have things evened out at all?

Sam: how are you feeling?

erin