Next Caller

First OB appointment today... except the OB I chose didn't exactly set my world on fire. She kept me waiting over 20 minutes in her exam room, which isn't a good sign if I'm looking for an OB that's sensitive to a working woman's schedule the way my RE was. She also said something that stuck in my mind like a splinter: "if we make it to the third trimester..." Ain't nobody trying to hear that! I also expected to have an ultrasound -- she could see for herself what's up & I could be assured that she's trying to stay on top of things. I learned that you don't always get an ultrasound at the first appointment, but I wanted it anyway. I also got more information about future OB scheduling from the receptionist than the doctor.

Right then I said to myself, I gotta find another OB. Next caller! I have my next monthly appointment with another doctor in the practice so I'll see about her. The receptionist said she's one of the faves in the practice so at least there's that to go on.

OB woman did say that she'd likely deliver via c-section at 37 weeks. She said it like she was sharing bad news but I already knew about needing a c-section given both my fibroid surgeries & told her so.

My RE completely spoiled me for anybody else! I was so heavily monitored & it's has finally sunk in that I'm not going to get that level of attention from an OB.

I did request a more involved NT scan, which she did arrange for later this afternoon with a separate office. It was awesome! Talked with an awesome grandfatherly genetics doctor that walked me through what I was seeing & how both babies were measuring normally. Thanks be to God. Grandpop was so much more reassuring than ol' girl that I wished he could be my OB.

I'm measuring 12w2d :-) Keep it up, babies!! Guess I enter my 2nd trimester gestation-wise on August 10th but developmentally (according to this awesome IVF due dating site) I entered it yesterday. I'll just feel so much better in 9 days! Felt so happy after the scan. I'm still cautious with my emotions but always working to keep the faith too. Taking each day as it comes.

I was also asked to be in two research studies today so bring on the minimal compensation & extra ultrasounds! Ooh, don't I wish I had a lot more $$ saved. That's for another post!

Gotta walk the animals before the Olympics swim finals... I am so caught up in these games! Three cheers for London -- aside from the trapped-in-a-puppet-nightmare opening ceremony London has done a smash-up job. Damnit, I cried when the female cyclist from the Netherlands won her race in dramatic style! Go USA but especially as a child of immigrants I have so much admiration for so many of these athletes from across the world. Just wish Russia would've had Sean John or somebody else design their team jackets, they're horrid  --

I'm so incredibly happy for Sunflower!!

Beans, come October you're next!!

To all other IF/SMBC friends, there's so much magic in believing... you stay in my prayers & meditations so I already know that it's just a matter of time :-)

Exhale

Normal scan, thank God! And I finally heard their heartbeats for the first time, absolutely incredible. Let out a laugh that came from my soul. And they were bouncing around in their little sacs. Too amazing. Also found out that there are 2 placentas for each sac.

Beans, it didn't cross my mind that it'd be more of a challenge to see them! It helped greatly that they were in good positions and the tech was able to take measurements more easily. Gotta wait 1-2 weeks for blood test results.

Thought I turned a corner with the fatigue, but no! And I have had a nonstop headache for going on 2 days! I'm so tired but it's not easy to sleep with my head carrying on. I know I can take Tylenol but I don't wanna take any drugs minus the PIO.

Yawn with a nice stretch. Off to bed, hopefully :-)

Next Up: NT Scan

Ooh, it's nice to have a moment where my eyes don't feel like weights. I'm feeling rather awake today & think I've turned a corner (as I thought a few days ago before taking a 3-hour nap at 11 o'clock in the morning). Went for an ultrasound yesterday & both babies have almost caught up to each other -- 11 weeks & 11w2d with strong heartbeats, praise Jesus!

I go in for a nuchal translucency (NT) scan on Friday. It's incredible all the early milestones we have to 'pass' with IVF:

- Day 3 for FSH/AMH blood test

- Day 1 of cycle

- Begin Estrace or some other pill

- Pre-ultrasound before stimming

- Pay for stim drugs

- Ultrasounds every other day or so

- May have to adjust stims

- Exact timing of HCG shot or else

- Clearance for egg retrieval

- Hope for eggs at egg retrieval

- Wait to hear if they fertilized with fertilization report

- Go back for embryo transfer

- Wait 2 extra-long weeks for results

- Go back weekly for ultrasounds when you get the BFP

- Continue with labs to see if PIO needs adjusting + if HCG is doubling

- Sacs & fetal poles to see

- Heart rates, crown-to-rump sizing by gestation

- Clear the 6 week hurdle (didn't know about that until week 7 & thank God)

- Find an OB

- Hope you find a good OB

- NT scan... where I am now, going on Friday

- Wait for NT scan results, 1-2 weeks

- Wait to get the hell out of the first trimester

- Coast through the second & third trimester

- Healthy babies!

Now I know I floated through the last 2 bullets; still studying up on gestational diabetes & preeclampsia & other terrific milestones to clear. Just move from worry about becoming pregnant to worry about the pregnancy... girl, just wait til the babies come! I am a bit anxious about Friday's scan, though, but I'm visualizing it going well, just having faith in that. Praying daily (& through every moment of anxiety) & trusting God has kept me truly sane & just a bit happy.

I'll be released from my RE after the scan! I have been so blessed to work with this office & these people, have been a bit spoiled with the close monitoring & weekly ultrasounds. My first appointment with my new OB is next Tuesday. Hope she's good. Was looking for OBs out of a certain Chicago practice & I found her online. Of her specialties she has experience with twin gestation & advanced maternal age... that's me!

Got my sense of taste back! I'm only dealing with gross aftertastes but popping an Altoid has worked wonders. I've been eating more & drinking milk, not to mention that I've gone through 2 cartons of Oreo ice cream in 2 days. Aside from that I'm only craving fruits & healthier fare, still can't stand the sight of nuts & sweets like cake or candy. Been sneezing a lot more, heartburn comes and goes. Still keeping up my nightly ritual of PIO shots.

I'm off work for a bit & have the nerve to want to catch up on sleep. I had a list of all these things I'd like to accomplish, but my body's telling me to rest. I just watched the movie 'Margaret' yesterday with Anna Paquin -- she can act her Kiwi *ss off! I'd be surprised if she isn't nominated for an Oscar.

Gonna walk my beasts around the block & then watch 'Fast Five' for the third time -- fantastic chase scenes + seeing The Rock's thick-sweaty-pretty-smiling-sexy *ss will make for a nice triple encore.

**Update**
I've been experiencing hot flashes off & on for the better part of an hour! This isn't the first time; I dismissed the other times because of how hot it's been. I feel the heat & sweat for a few minutes, then it passes. Went online & read that it may be due to hormone fluctuations. Interesting!

(I'm praying for you, MN.)