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So happy for your Possums, this is great news! Sorry you had such an awful morning though. I spotted very light brown on and off for the first few weeks of this pregnancy, and all was fine.
Good luck with those BT results, but sounds like your little Flicker is doing pretty well to me!
Devon
xxxx
Possums... I was so sad when I started reading your post... and then so HAPPY!
:clap::dance::leap:This is a fantastic way to finish the week! Your little one is certainly keeping you on your toes just like Baby Tigger did with TL. It all really sounds so positive now and I am thrilled for you and your DH... you really deserve this happiness.
Big :bellyrubs: to everyone else.
AFM not much to report - I have my next Ob appointment on Monday when I will be 16 weeks (can you believe it... 16 WEEKS!) So I really can't wait to see our little bubs again and have a chat about a couple of little things that have been cropping up:
1. I have been getting some small pimples on my chest and my back - looking so much like a teenager! I know these are hormonal, but I just like to make sure.
2. My nose is stuffy all the time, especially overnight - so need some relief from that.
3. I've been getting some hormone headaches - I'm a migraine sufferer (although haven't had a migraine since I got pregnant) - so just want to check that all is ok there also.
4. I almost fainted on Wednesday night. I think it was my fault - I had walked quite a distance and was dressed a little too warmly - then I was in a very warm room. So I'm pretty certain that is what caused it - but again just want to check all ok. I also have a tendancy to have perfect if slightly low blood pressure - so just want to make sure that isn't causing the above.
This week my belly has grown so much! It is so exciting to see the rate of growth that has happened in just a few days.
Janie xxx
just a quick hello to my friends in here
Possums. tigger. janie. nixon and scooby. i am so hoping to be joining you in here soon. pray
i have bubsicle tfer on tue and then the dreaded TWW but i am really feeling good about this one.
good luck to all with your bubs growing inside . see you soon
That is such great news Possum, what a ride you are on.
Everything sounds really great and positive for you and your DH :dance:
AFM, by lower back and hips are pretty sore since yesterday afternoon to the point I am going to throw up. I have read on other sites that early hip/back pain is quite common so am not so freaked out
Well ladies have a great weekend :leap:
Janie I have the Pimples too :) as well as the stuffy nose :(
Wish I had a 16 week appt need to wait till 20 weeks such a long time
Nicole- have a good weekend and hope that pain eases
Janie- thanks...and sounds like a good list of questions...I've also heard many of those are common symptoms...bet it's exciting seeing your tummy grow!
Devon and TL- thanks for the kind words
JBM- hope we see you here soon...!
afm- well just got the BT results...and they aren't good...ie, they are well outside the 'norm'... they've risen since tuesday from 10,500 to 11,600...so they've been going really slowly, almost plateaued for the last 1.5 weeks.
My nurse said she is basically confused, because the scan results were so good...she told my OB (who is up at the hospital today) and he apparently also said it doesn't make sense, given the scans showed normal growth for the last week and a strong heart beat.
My nurse actually said "well, you aren't out of the woods yet, we just have to hold our breath and keep looking at those scan results...whatever you are doing, keeping doing it...!" (my mum actually wished she hadn't been so negative with her comments, but DH reckons she is just covering herself and being cautious and concerned)...
My question to all of you, is how would you handle this?? what would you think? I know some clinics dont even do BTs after 6 weeks and rely on scans only, and to be frank, if we were just doing that, we'd be relaxed and happy, as the scans show things are spot on...but these lower levels have the nurse and Dr scratching their heads and a bit worried. My nurse suggested maybe my levels are just plateauing early.... I dont know if really low HCG levels is a worry or not.
My DH is much calmer than me with all this...he just looks at the scan results and says we shouldn't worry about the BT results too much.
Anyway, words of wisdom appreciated.
Possums - I haven't had the experience with multiple BT's. When I got my BFP I had only 1 more BT 3 days later and then it was all scans from there. So I really wouldn't know what my hcg levels were... it is always possible that mine plateaued at some stage too.
My advice would be to put the BT's out of your mind at the moment. The ranges are so variable and at the moment it is just going to be causing you stress that you don't need. Focus on the scans. Everything that they can see is perfect. The all important HB is right on track and the size is within the correct levels. If you are wanting to keep a close eye on how things are going - I would be asking for scans not BT's. Ask whether you can have some regular scans to start with to check that everything is developing properly. You then get the added benefit of getting to see your little one lots!
Remember - stress is not good for you and as such not good for your baby. Do whatever you need to do to try and reduce that stress.
I am thinking of you and :pray: that the hcg levels are just irrelevant.
Janie xxx
possums - it's all looking so overwhelming for you! hold onto the fact that your bubba is growing and looked fine on scan this morning!
the ranges are so large and varied - there is a notion of what "should" happen, but realistically, that's only what is expected. looking at a table from the net (sydpath) at 7-12 weeks your levels should be anywhere from 11,500 - 289,000.
given that range - and knowing this sort of range shows up on almost all the sites i've checked - i'd say that there are obviously a large number of people who have numbers like this. you're part of the bell shaped curve - just at the very lower end. i know you'd prefer to be at the upper or at least middle ranges, but it seems that your body and your baby don't think that is a necessity! keep in mind your baby HAS grown, it's heart IS beating - and not just beating, but beating more strongly than it was a week ago - these are all positive signs!!
i can understand your stress, and i am in no way trying to negate that, just offering you some alternative POV's on what might be going on...
thinking of you
BG
Janie and BG- thanks for those words of advice. I think I will do as you say and just focus on the scan results which were so good, and just assume my slow rising HCG levels are just part of me which don't fit the 'normal' pattern, but which really don't matter ...maybe we have just slowed down a bit sooner than in other pregnancies.
I feel in myself, that things are going to be OK too. So I will just be happy and keep talking to and encouraging our baby on. I mean, all that growth has happened in the last week, even with those only slightly rising levels!
Thanks ladies. You are always a help and support...especially for a stress head like me ;)
p.s I am also taking heart in this statement I found online:
"Caution must be used in making too much of hCG numbers. A normal pregnancy may have low hCG levels and result in a perfectly healthy baby. The results from an ultrasound after 5 - 6 weeks gestation are much more accurate than using hCG numbers.".... so I shall think about that lovely scan
Possums, I also agree with Janie and BG. Focus on the scans rather than the BT's. You had great scan results this morning even without fast rising hcg levels. Flicker's heart is flickering stronger and faster than a week ago, and measuring at the right size. All fantastic signs. Are you able to have some more scans to check progress? I guess since your nurse and OB are scratching their heads over this one, they're not going to leave you hanging and just waiting to see what happens? I think I would be requesting scans over BT's though in this case.
Janie, I've noticed some pimples on my back since about 5w. Interesting about the stuff nose. I was sick a few weeks back and am still suffering a stuff nose, mostly at night and in the morning. Thought it must still be the cold lingering, but maybe it is just a pg symptom.
One thing that is driving me nuts at the moment is the loo trips. I have stopped drinking after about 7pm to try and see if it makes a difference to the number of times I get up every night, but no! Still up 3 times, can't get back to sleep afterwards, can't get comfortable and I'm only 13 weeks! lol what's going to happen to me in 4 months time! I dread going out in public in case I can't find a toilet! lol
Thanks Megan
and yes, seeing my OB on Monday...and the nurse said today prob another scan in 1-2 weeks to check progress...no more BTs (I dont want any more!)
well, I'm logging off..have a nice weekend ladies and thanks for the advice
Possums - my FS said that by going away I was not missing any BTs - in other words, she had never planned on doing any after my first BT (the BFP test) - the next step always would have been the scan. I think it makes so much sense to focus on the scan rather than numbers that can vary and fluctuate so much.
Possums all I can say sweet is out of all my bleeds even the big one we have only been scanned to check on Bubs so I would say :P to the BT and focus on the growing bubba inside you and rest and take care sweetie
Hi Everyone
Sorry havent had a chance to log on lateley, too tired after work to do much.
Possums, I am so sorry you have been feeling a little stressed lateley, but sounds like things are perfectly on track so try npt worry yourself any more.
Last time when I was pg with DD, I did the HPT and then went to my GP who basically did the same thing and didnt even do a BT! Wrote me a referral for my obst and sent me on my way.
This time b/c I went thru IVF, there seems to be a lot more focus on BT's. Actually my clinic seems to be less focused on that compared to most others. I never got any BT's during my IVF treatment to measure hormone levels, etc.. and only got 1 BT to test for pregnancy. Then ONLY b/c I had bleading a week after ET did they do another test. So I have no idea what my levels are now, however my FS did one the other day so we'll find out on Monday.
Yesterday I got my 6 week u/s and was quite happy. Everything is where it should be and we saw the little heart pumping away. My FS didnt go into too much detail about size and heart rate, and just said everything was just as it should be, and repeatedly told me that he was very happy that I was PG. He is very nice. He also got me to do a BT just to make sure things are on track, and after hearing Possums story I am nervous. To be honest the U/S was great, seeing it all made me happy, I just hope the BT doesnt confuse matters.
Anyway in a couple weeks I am off to see my obst and that is it with my FS and IVF clinic. I think it will feel good to seperate myself from it all and just feel like a normal pregnant woman. I read somewhere that woman who conceieved thru IVF are more stressed during their pregnancies then women who conceive natuarlly, and now having done one of each, I have to agree!
The process of getting PG is so much more stressful that when you are, you dont even want to think about anything bad happening, whereas with a natural conception, I guess you dont really know how lucky you are and dont think about it in so much depth.
Anyway, how is everyone else feeling? Hope you are all well and will make an effort to log on more often next week.
I have been feeling nauseous for the last 3 days. I just feel really horrible. Havent thrown up, but feel tired and ugly all day. Am looking forward to it passing, just hope it doesnt get worse, before it gets better :)
Oh yes and I think it was possums that recently mentioned somethign about the bloated stomach. I cant explain it but my stomach is sticking out and nothing fits me right any more. Not sure why, its way to early to show yet people have questioned me already. Perhaps things will settle soon, even with DD I remember bloating out right from the start.
Anyway everyone have a loveley weekend, will try to log on over the next couple days but have a busy weekend lined up so it may have to wait until Monday.
LuckyStrike, did you conceive on a fresh cycle? Chances are that it's ovary swelling that's making you a bit bloated, especially if you've just done a stim cycle. I had a mild case of OHSS with my BFP (sure as hell beats being hospitalised with it bad and not getting to transfer!), and kind of instantly swelled up. I had to go from size 12 pants to size 14 pants bang on 4 weeks. They were loose, but comfortable. My size didn't really change again until I was closer to 13-14 weeks though. As the ovaries went down, my uterus took over.
Looks like we have some good news on my iron levels. I had blood taken on Tuesday, my OB said she'd call if my iron levels were bad again, and I was told the results would be in on Thursday. I'd say at 10:30pm on Friday night and no phone call at all, things are at least looking better! :dance: Now if I could just fix this head cold.
Possums - ignore the blood tests. Focus on the scans. Hang in there!
BW
That seems to be a bit of a general assumption (and a lot of these studies/polls that are reported on are just black and white) and one I don't think is right when it comes to my situation. I would think that I have been as stressed throughout this pg as I would have been if it had been an IVF baby. Just because I was able to conceive naturally, doesn't mean that it was an easy journey, nor does it mean that I should be less stressed about my pg.:
I have come across this with my boss lately who doesn't understand why I can't enjoy my pg, and why I am so reserved about it and don't want to discuss it with her. She thinks all my problems are solved because I didn't end up needing IVF to get pg. I don't think I will ever get over our TTC journey, even if I was able to have a second baby naturally. I think I will always have trouble dealing with it.
i think embarking on the assisted conception journey, whether you have a natural miracle, an IUI or IVF pregnancy, the stress to achieve that pregnancy is still a lot more stressful than someone that conceives within the first 12 months of "trying", or has an "oopsie" pregnancy. i think it would apply to pregnancy after miscarriage or loss of a child - it just seems like more of a miracle when you hit milestones... i dunno, maybe i just feel like that...
I absolutely agree....I long journey to have a baby, whether you end up having one through IVF or miraculously conceive naturally after thinking you couldn't, leaves you more anxious/prone to worry, more likely to cherish and feel relief at every milestone...and you don't take things for granted. The innocence you would have had if you had conceived quickly and had a trouble free pregnancy is gone. Sometines I wish I had that innocence, but there is not getting it back.
Right now,l I just wish I didn't know so much information (especially about my own hormone levels!!)....because it's just more to worry about.
I feel quite separate from women who have conceived easily...sometimes even defensive and a bit angry still. Funny emotions just well up sometimes. And people who havent been through this absolutely DO NOT GET IT.
hope you are all doing well this weekend anyway!
I am back to the OB tomorrow to discuss the good scan the 'out of the norm' BT results. :rolleyes:
GL today Possums - looking forward to hearing some positive news.
I also have OB appointment today - 16 week check up. Can't wait to see bubs again!
Janie xxx
Hope it goes well Janie...how exciting..you'll see more at 16 weeks. :D
afm- I just rang and talked to my OB on the phone instead of going in...he said the scan results are encouraging, but the HCG results aren't particularly encouraging...therefore, he is still saying things could go either way, he really doesn't know....not the words I wanted to hear...but I can only think positive really. Another scan for me this friday or monday to check progress...they just want to monitor things for a while, in light of the HCG results being low. Here's hoping all keeps going well.
Possums the scan showed bubba nice and to size focus on that sweetie. :crossfingers: for Friday
Nicole is your first US today? If so GL hon!
Enjoy the experience.. it truely is something very special.
Janie xxx
Woo Hoo Baby June Bug has a heart beat :bluecheer: :cheer:
Talk about first us, it went so fast and it took me a while to work out what we were looking at :redface:
FS that the heart beat looks good and we are measuring in at 6 weeks and 5 days.
I recon i'm still in shock it is so weird to think that there is another beating heart in my body other than my own although... little bug's is still very small it's truly amazing to see that on the screen.
Other than that no blood test, but have my first OB appointment on Friday.
yay nicole!! It's wonderful to see the heartbeat....congrats!!
Hi girls
Possums: i definately would be going off the US i really dont think the HCG is reliable and if it hadnt risen much in that week but bubs still progressed normally then i think its got to be good, i think the ob will be very over cautious as they dont want to get yur hopes up annd also to protect themselves from the "But you told me" i think it all is looking great, stay postive.
Nicole: congrats on the little heart beating bub, thats wonderful.
Hi to all the other wonderful ladies on here :cheer:
i think they use the term IVF abit loosly in those books and i have read similar, but it is just dependant on how long its taken and how hard the TTC journey has been. I fell preg first go with DS and this one has taken over 3 years to concieve including an ectopic, AI,IUI and finally IVF. And i can honestly say that this prg has been sooooo much more stressful than DS, it is an innocence that you have that nothing possibly can go wrong and things that go wrong happen to other people, my BF is pregnant with me now and she is the same in regards to when i worry, i get the "you need to get over it thing" and unless youve been thorugh it all you just cant understand. Megan you have still been through alot and although you fell naturally you will still have that anxiety just as we all feel, its been a long hard road.
Well exactly 3 monthes today my little one will be making her apperance (if she doesnt come early) very scary thought as i know the next few monthes are going to fly in, its hard though as i still find it difficult to buy things, i keep waiting till i think the time will be right, any one know when that is?:o
Scooby, 3 months will definitely fly by. Especially with Christmas in the middle there as well. I wish I knew when the right time to buy stuff was! Although we have bought a few small things (clothes and blankets), DH wants to start buying everything now! I tell him no, you have to wait. I'm only 13 weeks, and while I would like to think everything is going to go well, I definitely don't feel comfortable buying things. I feel awkward whenever we go and look at furniture. Every second day he asks if we can go and buy stuff yet!! He is just like a little kid at Christmas these days, and I'm the no fun Mum with all the rules trying to keep him in line!! ;)
Megan we have started to slowly buy stuff especially if it is a good deal :)
Scooby 3 months till your little girl enters this world wow! :clap:
Nic :cheer: on bubba's heartbeat
Janie - best of luck for your appointment today hun - hope you get a great look at bubs!
Possums - that heartbeat has got to mean something good is going on. Your Ob is always going to tell you the worst case scenario, but I really hope that he's just being over cautious. Hope you can get another scan on Friday and see the little heart beating away again.
Nicole - Congratulations on seeing the heartbeat! Wonderful news!! Best of luck for your appointment on Friday too!
Scooby - happy 25 weeks to you!! Wow, three months till your little girl arrives! It sure will go quickly! I've just been buying stuff anyway, we bought a cot and change table last weekend, and I freaked out a bit thinking it would jinx things, but the temptation to get organised was too strong.
Megan - how sweet that your DH is so keen to buy things!! I hope you feel like doing it soon. I refused to buy anything until I saw my Ob at 15 weeks and knew bubs was doing OK.
TL - 15 weeks! Looks like little tigger is going strong!
So yes, I can't believe I'm 25 weeks now! I can't wait to get under the 100 days to go on my ticker! I'm getting HUGE. Went on the hospital tour yesterday - very scary stuff! Nothing about natural birth, all about monitoring, interventions, caesars, neonatal intensive care etc. Am glad that we're planning on having a doula there with us.
:bellyrubs: to everyone, this is such a busy thread now.
Devon
xxxx
We have found what looks like a good deal on a pram. About $150 less on special than we have seen elsewhere. I'm reluctant to buy it, but no idea if we will see it at that price again. I know if we go and have another look tomorrow like DH wants to, we will walk out with a pram! lol DH may be satisfied for a while if we get it and we can get all the other big stuff later on. We'll see!
I really wanted to be able to enjoy this pg as much as possible, but I am already over everybody! I think everyone I know has kids, which makes it impossible to avoid "advice" and all their horror stories. I was told yesterday when Buddy arrives I will have no idea what I'm doing and will need all the help I can get, and there's no use pretending I know what to do. I don't think she meant it to sound as harsh as it did, but still felt like saying 'thanks for the vote of confidence!' People talk about coming and "helping" once Buddy is here. I wonder if they realise the kind of help I'll be wanting will be washing, cooking, vacuuming etc. I even had MIL showing me how to wrap a blanket properly yesterday.:asleep: Not long after I got up and left her and DH at it and went and had a nana nap. I can't deal with it.
I may have absolutely no idea what I'm doing when Buddy comes home, but I'll figure out. I just want their support and maybe a little help if I ask for it. I'm so annoyed they're getting to me this early.
been a busy day in here - i'm struggling to keep up! but that's ok! i'm sure i'll get there! i've read a few of you mentioning being scared to jinx things by buying big ticket items too early. DH is keen to get everything early, but i'm very restrained (very unusual for me!). i've let him layby manchester and have layby'd some clothes, but refuse to arrange anything else simply because i want my new shed built first!! have to put some serious pressure on my brother - the nursery is currently full of shed stuff (tools, tool boxes, all the christmas deco's, two air con systems that need to be installed, new internal doors for the WHOLE house....) - nothing we can do until it gets gutted. the built in robe is still full of stuff from when DH was growing up, so all that has to go as well! i'm reluctant to buy stuff, but for very different reasons than the rest of you! :lol:
went back to FS for final visit today - they've changed my EDD to June 2nd based on the u/s showing a smaller bub 10 days ago. given it was an IUI not IVF, i wasn't too phased, but did mention that i thought we'd be further along based on trigger etc, and could we scan to check, and FS was all for it, so another scan next week for us. at this stage it's Wed 22nd, but might be changed. DH is an interstate truck driver and we have to fit as many of our appointments in with his work (his boss is fantastic and has been all along - so we're going to see if it's better for him to have DH home wednesday or another day during the week)
not a lot else to mention really - the nausea that had gone awol over the weekend is back with a vengeance - which FS and DH had a good ol giggle about at the appointment! mean buggers!! the nurse who organised everything and did the IUI is very happy that it's all worked, and told me that i'd missed the fine print on the contracts - that once the Gremlin arrives, it is the last stage of treatment to go back for "amanda cuddles"! i have no drama with this at all - must be pretty hard on them to constantly tell people it hasn't worked, so if i can bring her a smile at the end of a busy day, who am i to argue??
congrats to the girls that have hit the 25week mark today! what an awesome milestone!
BG, I thought I had a lot of stuff in our spare room! lol
We have to get rid of a heap of stuff from ours too before we start filling it up with baby furniture. Getting DH to do things in a logical order though is never easy.:rolleyes:
I have to 'fess up... we also have a room full of stuff that needs to be cleared (and likely a house full of stuff that needs to be cleared to make room for the stuff we want to keep!) before we can start putting Munchkin furniture in there.
Fortunately DH is quite sensible and logical and isn't in a huge rush to get stuff. However, we layby where we can when we find a good deal and are taking the time to research to make sure we get what we want at the best price... Sometimes the research is more fun than the actual buying!
First day of term today - didn't make it through the day and I'm off work for the next two. GP thinks it's a viral chest/sinus thing - urgh! Perfect bloody timing, too! :doh:
BW
morning lovely ladies...
Janie- how'd it go with the Ob yesterday and another scan?
BW- hope you feel better soon...doesnt sound fun
and I am sure shopping for stuff is fun
BG- another scan will be good to have another peek at little gremlin!
Good luck getting that room sorted out
Megan- sorry people are already at you with advice...people need to learn how to stand back and give space! and just be there for support
Devon- yay 25 weeks! I bet that hospital tour was a bit scary
scooby- only 3 months to go ..wow.... the time will buzz buy, i'd be buying all stuff now
afm- thanks for your support and encouragement. To be honest I feel in a bit of a limbo...I do feel things will be OK and am thinking positive, but being told things can go either way has sort of taken away some of the joy/buzz I was feeling...despite my best efforts to stay in that head space. I know what I know now...in some ways I feel a bit resentful (i know, gotta get over myself again) that things can't just have been all right on track this time, so I could feel a bit less anxiety, or always be waiting for another scan for reassurance. I know stacks of people don't have smooth pregnancies though...and I know that in this case I am telling myself all will be fine anyway....but still....those medical words of caution and 'things could go either way' rattle around in my head when I let my guard down.
Oh Possums they can rattle in your head and that is natural.
My Ob was more postive after I made it the 8 week mark
I understand the resentment thing I too go through why me moments and have not really started to relax and enjoy yet
Thanks for understanding TL- makes me feel I am just human
a further update this morning: I think we might be going to have weekly scans for a while...I think my OB might not think that's necessary but my IVF nurse said she thinks the reassurance and monitoring given the funny blood results would be a good thing- and I think I'd like that too to be honest. she said the scans can't harm our baby which was my only concern (also not too sure about costs, but doesnt matter really, when the benefits are there)..
possums - i've hit the medicare safety net, and have found my scans at a private imaging service are only costing me $22 out of pocket ($161 on the day, but claim most of it straight back at medicare) - so it's a minimal cost for some peace of mind
Hi Ladies... wow has it been busy in here!
Nicole - Congrats on the HB... that first scan certainly is memorable.
Scooby - I can't believe that you only have 3 months to go! It only seems like yesterday that you fell pregnant. You must be getting so excited!
Devon - congrats on 25 weeks!
Megan - I know what you mean - everyone has their piece of advice to give. I'm quite lucky in that way as I am not from Australia, so a lot of my family and my DH's family don't live here. In the same breath - I think I will really miss that help when bubs comes along!
BG - glad to hear all is going well.
BW - Hope you are feeling better today.
Possums - Don't ever feel bad for the way that you are feeling... everyone's situation is unique and no-one can say one situation is easier than another. It must be hard to stay positive when you can hear those words in your head, but remember that they do always give worst case scenarios to cover themselves. Keep your chin up - we are all here for you and cheering little Flicker along.
TL - Hope you and baby Tigger are well.
To anyone I have missed - I'm sorry!
AFM - well 16 week appointment went really well. We got to see our baby again on US and it was just amazing. They were kicking around like you wouldn't believe. The midwife let us just sit for quite a few minutes and just watch our little one moving around... So cool! We made our appointment for our 20 week scan at the same time - wonderful thing is it falls on my DH's 30th birthday... what a great birthday present for him.
Also, I think I have been feeling the baby move - it is very light at the moment and I can only feel it when I am lying down quietly. But the midwife said that generally if you "think" you can feel it - you actually are feeling them. So amazing!
Janie xxx
BG- thanks for explaining that, good to know
Possums- Am thinking of you and am so proud of you for your strength.
Hi to all my other past TWW buddies...
Janie, can't believe you are 16 weeks already, am so happy for you.
TL-Am always snooping round checking up on you
Scooby- Gee only 3 months to go!
And all you other lovely pg ladies..thinking of you too.
I am telling you all, I will be here in 13 sleeps time..I can feel it in my waters!(don't really know what my waters are but I know I'm getting my BFP this cycle!!)
Hugs all
Bel