Pregnancy after Long Term TTC - November 2008

[Nixon]

Buliej - I used to be a chef (feels like a previous life, but no only 8 years ago) and as apprentices we are taught about "at risk" clients - the elderly, the very young and the pregnant. Coeliacs etc are a different kettle of fish.....

A properly trained chef will be aware of the risks of listeria and other bacterial problems, how they are caused and how to prevent contamination etc. In saying that - some chefs are just plain lazy.

I would certainly mention it. If you are out for a meal - ask to speak to the chef (obviously if it is a place that is packed to the rafters and flat out - he/she probably won't have time to speak to you. However - when you make the booking - ask to speak to the chef. Explain you are pregnant and that you wanted to ensure there would be appropraite food prep & cleaning. I tend to make out like I'm a little bit crazy just so they don't think I'm attacking their standards as a chef. Something like:

"Hi, look I'm really sorry, but I'm pregnant and my GP has scared the cr*p out of me about listeria and the recent outbreaks and I just had to check if you could maybe wash my salad just before it gets served. I'm really sorry - I know I'm super paranoid, but we had to do IVF to get here and I'm scared I'm goign to do something to hurt the baby...." usually by the time I have stopped rambling on they have agrees like 15 times.

Other option - don't eat anything out that could be conmtaminated - ie: only order cooked items - a steak and mash or pasta and avoid salad and uncooked meats. So sad - I love an antipasto plate *sigh*

As for the scan - my forst Ob appointment we went thru the usual - any allergies, operations, family history etc. He then scanned the bub (unexpected) and put the dolper on (unexpected) so it was the first time we heard the HB. He gave us some pics to take home. It was the first time we'd seen the bub since the 7 week scan and I tell you what it was amazing - it looked like a bub instead of a blob. DH said the 10 week scan hit him hard (harder than the 12 week scan) - the bub was moving arms and legs all over the place.

12 weeks scan went for much longer for the NT test. Didn't hear the HB that time - just saw it and got the BPM.

Good luck - let us know how it goes...
X

[Janie71]

Hi all - its been busy in here again over the weekend! I feel like it takes me a couple of days now to catch up on everything.

Shannon - I hope you are feeling better and that your BP has come down. Can't believe that you will be meeting your little one's this week!

Buliej - Ring your OB and have a chat to them about your worries... I had one night where my body seemed to clear itself out from both ends when I was about 7 or 8 weeks pregnant... It must have been something that I ate and my body just got rid of it. Didn't do the baby any harm though. At my first OB appointment I had a scan in the OB's office.

Bel - hope your scan went well today - can't wait to hear about it!

Hi to Nixon, HM, Kahlan, Megan, LS, TL, BG, Nicole, and anyone else I have missed!

AFM - had our 20 week scan today... every scan continues to blow my mind! Anyhow, baby is bang on 20 weeks in all measurements, all organs are functioning perfectly - in fact all in all we are carrying a perfect baby (I know biased already)! Current weight is 328 grams and EDD has remained the same at 30/03/2009 (give or take 3 days). Our sonographer knows what sex our baby is, but we have chosen to have a surprise on the day. OB measure fundal height at 18cms - again right on target and BP is perfect. So after all the difficulties of getting pregnant it seems that we are carrying a little angel who is behaving very nicely for us. What an amazing day - oh and today is my DH's 30th birthday! Isn't life grand!

Janie xxx

[Shannon22]

Oh Janie how exciting bubs sounds absolutely perfect! Congrats you are halfway now and the second half will fly!

Had another check up this morning and now 2cm dialated so induction full steam ahead for Friday!

[buliej]

Thanks everyone.

I just rang my OB - waiting for a call back - I feel a bit ridiculous but am glad that I called and her receptionist was super nice. Also, my husband just called to say that he too has gastro - as silly as this is, I'm very glad because this means it is probably just gastro and not listeria as he most likely wouldn't get listeria.

[tiggerlinda]

Janie wow hun I am more excited now So gald things went well

Shan - Ohhhh I am so excited bubbas are on thier way

[BB73]

HI Ladies

Just wanted to share a little story with those of you that are worried about Listeria. About 2 months ago I accidentially ate some raw chicken. Freaked out overnight and went to see GP the next day as it was a Sunday and OB wasn't available. He assurred me that in his 25 years of practice he had never seen a case of listeria in a pregnant women. Having come from a nursing background I am a little neurotic when it comes to these things and I insisted on a course of antibiotics just to be safe. Rang OB first thing Monday morning and told him of the incident. He wasn't at all concerned and actually told me that salmonella was something that was easier to pick up than listeria. I do remember that early on in my pg I did have a couple of times where I did have gastro, but I am sure it has got to do with all the hormones running around in our systems. Alot of women will have a bout of gastro like bowel movements (TMI I know) on the first day of AF, so I wasn't really worried. As many of the ladies have said here, just follow the guidelines on eating that are given to you by your OB/Midwife and you shouldn't be putting you or your baby at risk.
Wishing you all a very H & H pg!!
Belinda

[Janie71]

Shannon - I'm so exicted for you! Ooohhhh you meet your babies on Friday

TL - The scan is truely amazing - much more detailed than even the 12 week one. You get to clearly see the 4 chambers of the heart and the blood flowing through... the brain... the umbilical cord arteries, the bladder, the kidneys, arms, legs, feet, face... everything! You will absolutely love it! And if you are finding out the sex, they will show you that too...

Janie xxx

[Possums]

Janie- wonderful news re the scan...what a happy time for you and DH

shannon- wow!...so close now..sending all the best your way

[on tra_k]

LNB, Bel - good luck with your scans tomorrow ... only one more sleep
Shannon - 4 more sleeps ... hope it all goes well ... I'm so pleased and impressed that you have an obs who's going to let you deliver twins ... rare in this day and age! Cheering for you
HM - nice to hear you had a lovely evening out with DH ...
curlygirl - glad to see you in here ... my "snap" buddy ... I had my wk5 BT today too ...
Belinda, Nic - thanks for all the great info on food safety ... when I read on the info sheet the nurses hand out that listerosis doesn't produce symptoms in normal healthy adults I freaked out a bit. I've always figured that my food hygiene must be OK because I've given myself food poisoning "zero" times , but if there are no symptoms it's a bit scary! However, I survived OK last time by being sensible but not OTT so I'll do the same again .
Janie - your scan sounds like it was awesome, for reaching the halfway mark ...
Tiggerlinda - I guess your 20 week scan is coming up too ... I look forward to hearing all about it ...
Mon - hope you're recovering OK from the shock of your miracle twins!
Kahlan - I'm interested that you're going to your GP for care, isn't your FS an ob/gyn as well? I guess not because it sounds like you're looking for an ob/gyn?
buliej -
BG - hope the ms eases soon ...
Nicole, Megan, LS, scooby, BW - hi to you all, hope you're healthy and happy and that everything is progressing as it should ...

AFM - 5 week BT today, results tomorrow, still no symptoms yet My Mum asked how I knew I was pregnant if I didn't have any symptoms, WHAT THE? Maybe the multiple stab wounds in my veins have yielded some useful information ????

[Gigi1]

On_track...
He hee about your mum babe....I had no symptoms too babe. I am over 5 weeks now and only today did i notice my nipples are starting to change a little. The outside of the areola has a bit of a ring and my nipple is a bit red on the end.
The only other thing that has been a bit different in the last couple of days is that i could fall asleep standing up if that were possible. I have been getting really tired moments. Today i went back to bed after being up for a couple of hours and slept for another 3... Normally i would push through but right now...i am finding it hard to.
Oh, Not much appetite though...just have to force myself to eat more than two meals a day...totally wierdo for me. None of this started until the last couple of days though.
i am rambling now...sorry babe.

Hi all, I am sorry for no personals...but holding my book up right now to read seems like a lot of effort...been hit with a tidal tired wave in the last 2 days.
All is good...Sorry for TMI but bum is a bit troubling. I think the hormones are making this a bit more of an issue. Looks like this pg is going to be plane sailing liked we hoped. I have lost my appetite but we are all feeling good. Hubby is loving the extra bedtime sleep ins...he thinks he is pg too! LOL
Got to go love to you all.
Hm oxoxxo

[Kahlan]

Hi Ladies,

Thanks on all the advice re: listeria. I went to a GP yesterday. He didn't say much.... but kind of gave me the impression that perhaps I am frightening myself. He asked me what if I came across a piece of info that said early signs of HIV are what I am currently describing to him? I told him that is different because the chance of my being exposed to HIV is virtually zero whereas listeria is very high, considering what I fail to do in the past week...

Anyway, thanks BB73 for letting me know that listeria is very uncommon. Apparently I read in a website that there are only 150 cases in Australia per year. But won't you think because it can show no symptom, people who have it might not know the difference? Anyway, the Dr has offered to do testing for me. Gave me a container to fill my stuff in there (Sorry TMI). Don't know if I want to proceed or not.

Question for others - do you tell restaurants that you are pregnant when you order and ask about salad preparation etc. or do you just trust that they do things properly?

I hope everyone else is going well and that morning sickness is staying away.

Buliej, so sorry about your news. Did you get to see your baby on the scan prior or did you just learn that through the first scan at 8 weeks? Must be very heart breaking for you at present.

Just a quick hello,

I'm a newbie in this thread, just got my week 5 blood test this morning and hoping everything is fine with the little one. Whew, can't stop worrying as we have waited for this one for soooo long!!

Does anyone know what the hcg level should be at week 5?

Will try to write more later, have a healthy and enjoyable pg everyone!

Welcome Curlygirl. The levels can vary between person to person. Most important is how it increases. Mine jumped from 318 to 8910 in 7 days.

AFM- all going well, Nipples are starting to change, trying not to think too far ahead, 5wks 3 days now and thrilled we have past our first milestone. Hubby took me out to dinner yesterday and it was lovely...i feel so spoilt and loved.
Go to go. Love to all
HM xoxox

Hi HM, Mine hasn't changed but except being more sensitive to touch. Yeah, welcome to the land of tiredness. It is 10 am and I am yawning already.

[Kahlan - I'm interested that you're going to your GP for care, isn't your FS an ob/gyn as well? I guess not because it sounds like you're looking for an ob/gyn?
[COLOR="magenta"]AFM - 5 week BT today, results tomorrow, still no symptoms yet My Mum asked how I knew I was pregnant if I didn't have any symptoms, WHAT THE? Maybe the multiple stab wounds in my veins have yielded some useful information ????[/FONT]

Hi On trak, my FS does not do delivery and as I have private health insurance I will need a OB which my GP refer to an appropriate person. However, my GP is probably more accessible and she is pretty good too. I go to her for women related things. So I thought of having shared care, between her and the OB she is referring me too. I will see how it goes. If it doesn't work out I will book myself in to see my FS instead.

Sorry if I missed anyone else. Got to run. Got such a busy week ahead. Don't think I will be around much.