*** 1st tri check-in 3/16 ***

[DrHooch]

bostongirl617 - I can still breathe comfortably as long as I don't push my speed, although that's changed since I got pregnant so maybe not now... The last few runs I did before getting the BFP I felt winded and like my asthma was back, so I guess maybe it's a good thing I'm not running. To keep my heart rate under 140 my choices are biking at less than 17 mph on my recumbent bike, pilates, and walking. I was in the midst of training for a 10 mile run next month, so it kills me to have lost that training, but it's worth it!

[jetta83306]

Hello everyone.

How far are you now? 10 weeks

How are you feeling? Gross. I am having a tough time still with nausea and I started vomiting more. Most of the time it was just gagging/dry heaving, but now I'm throwing up food

What and when is your next appointment? My next ob appointment and ultrasound is on April 3rd

Anything else you'd like to share or discuss? I picked up some samples today of Diclegis from my doctor for my nausea. Has anybody else tried this? Hoping it works. I mean, having morning all-day sickness is ok for knowing that good things are happening, but it is starting to get really frustrating.


QOTW: What's your favorite vacation spot and why? I love Disney World because it is awesome. I also really enjoy cruises.

[bluefairy5]

Mar 16, 2015 18:49:56 GMT -5 DrHooch said:

bostongirl617 - I can still breathe comfortably as long as I don't push my speed, although that's changed since I got pregnant so maybe not now... The last few runs I did before getting the BFP I felt winded and like my asthma was back, so I guess maybe it's a good thing I'm not running. To keep my heart rate under 140 my choices are biking at less than 17 mph on my recumbent bike, pilates, and walking. I was in the midst of training for a 10 mile run next month, so it kills me to have lost that training, but it's worth it!

Some doctor-person (can't remember if it was my RE or the nurse or my OB) told me progesterone rise gets you out of breath more easily, so that makes sense since the last few runs before your BFP were presumably late in your LP.  

But yes, definitely worth it not to run if needed, no matter what.  If that's the call I get, I'll stick with it.  Just more to look forward to next year  

[lilyharper]

@buttmonkey good luck to your ass!
@kensie 5226 I love Napa.
nomnom our NT scans are the same day! Has the spotting stopped?


This child is trying to kill me. Ob can't find any reason for the bleeding (I even got a super fun vaginal exam today) and there's no good reason for my bleeding.

I'm super grateful to still be pregnant. Don't get me wrong. But this is making me a god damn wreck.

But, still pregnant! And it has a nose now!

[bluefairy5]

lilyharper Yay for noses! Yay for him or her already getting a jump on driving you nuts about 12 years ahead of schedule! Seriously, though, I'm so glad your OB didn't find anything concerning.

[rachaeleigh]

I just wanted to wish Smootiepie, bluefairy5, @ketchup, and ginnyjones82 all good luck for your ultrasounds!
Please forgive me if I missed anyone...mobile tagging sucks

[ginnyjones82]

Just left the u/s!!!! There's a baby in there!!!!! OMG guys! Little baby (I'm gonna need a nickname) was rolling around and even waved! I'm so happy to finally have gotten to see him/her!

[lilyharper]

Yay ginnyjones82!

[bluefairy5]

Thanks rachaeleigh!

ginnyjones82 Big congrats!

[ginnyjones82]

Thanks everyone!

@buttmonkey, we had the first appointment of the day and I wore my lucky socks!!!

[shortstuff]

Ugh. I did it again. It's been a week since I've been on the boards! My life is just so crazy and busy right now. And when I'm not busy, I'm sleeping! lol

bluefairy5 - Did you ever ask your OB about sushi? I have read conflicting things on it. I have read it's an absolute no no and I've read that if you've never gotten sick from your sushi place and a little here and there will not cause any harm. I have snuck in a few pieces, but I won't make a meal of it. Sadly.
nomnom & bluefairy5 - I have lifted over 25lbs and I will continue to do so. I make custom cakes for a living. Those big, tiered cakes are heavy! But I'm sorry, I need to make as much money right now because I know that I will have to stop toward the end of the pregnancy.

dharmachick - I know you asked about headaches like a week ago (but I've been MIA!). My head has been killing me. It's no fun.

I skimmed through last week's check in and I keep seeing talk about all of us short people, but I'm not sure what I missed.... I'll go back and read it if I can sneak in some time.

lilyharper - I'm glad everything is ok. I hope the bleeding stops!

Seriously, I need more hours in my day. I HAVE to get some work done, but I will hop back on later and finish reading. For right now, I'll just answer my questions.

How far are you now? 11w1d

How are you feeling?Still pretty good! I've had a headache the last few days, but nothing I can't handle.

What and when is your next appointment? NT u/s next Wednesday.

Anything else you'd like to share or discuss? Yes, for a change, there actually is. Would I be crazy to change doctors now? Quick recap - I did my IVF overseas. My ob/gyn of 14 years has been with me for my 10 year IF journey. She was a HUGE help on this end of things. Unfortunately, the practice stopped delivering babies a couple of years ago, so I had to find a new OB. I saw my doc for the first few weeks and then I went to the new place. I chose a group of 4 midwives and 2 OBs. I had 1 visit with them, blood work at a lab and I go to the MRI place for my next u/s next week. I am now 2nd guessing my decision to go with this group. The midwife I saw was really nice, but the office staff was less than pleasant. What's bothering me is that I was on baby aspirin due to my complications from the ER (huge blood clot and surgery to remove it). They had me on injectable blood thinners and then switched to baby aspirin. She took me off it without running any tests. They don't do the harmony (or other brand name) test and my clinic told me to stay on progesterone 12-16 weeks but that my OB here will test me and tell me when to go off it. She told me to just stop when I hit 12 weeks... no blood test or anything? First I was really excited because I can't wait to get off this crap, but now that the 12 week mark is approaching, I'm scared about it. I have had slightly low progesterone levels before IVF and I'm afraid to go off without any testing. I think I liked the idea of a midwife in theory, but now that it's reality, I want more aggressive treatment from an OB. I thought with a midwife the patient got to call the shots more, but it's not really like that. It's a more natural approach. I did IVF, F*ck natural. Keep my baby alive and safe and keep me feeling secure! I think I want to switch to the group that my doctor recommended first. Would I be crazy to change now? I already had all my records sent over to this one and now I'd have to send everything to the new place. And what do I tell the current group. I feel bad! So confused! And rambling! lol


QOTW: What's your favorite vacation spot and why? I love cruising. I find it so relaxing. I love unpacking once and visiting many different places. I love being at sea. I love laying on the balcony with a book and seeing nothing but the ocean. So peaceful.

[sewfie2]

Mar 17, 2015 10:00:38 GMT -5 shortstuff said:

*Snip*
What's bothering me is that I was on baby aspirin due to my complications from the ER (huge blood clot and surgery to remove it). They had me on injectable blood thinners and then switched to baby aspirin. She took me off it without running any tests. They don't do the harmony (or other brand name) test and my clinic told me to stay on progesterone 12-16 weeks but that my OB here will test me and tell me when to go off it. She told me to just stop when I hit 12 weeks... no blood test or anything? First I was really excited because I can't wait to get off this crap, but now that the 12 week mark is approaching, I'm scared about it. I have had slightly low progesterone levels before IVF and I'm afraid to go off without any testing.
*Snip*

I'd be concerned about both points too. I had normal progesterone levels prior to IVF, but our RE waited until she could see the placenta well before taking me off of my PIO shots (we didn't do b/w work, but I'm okay with that given the u/s and my history).
If I had a blood clot I would definitely worry about stopping meds without any testing. I don't think it's weird to change clinics now, if you're not comfortable with the office staff and the care the clinic is providing/not providing. If anything, it's better to change early I would think- I saw somewhere (I think I read it in "From the Hips") that doctors tend to not want to take patients after the midway point or something. Either way, you'll have more time to find the right fit. After all, you're paying them and entrusting you and your bean's health to them. You should absolutely feel comfortable and calm with them.

[ginnyjones82]

Same to you @ketchup!! So glad tiny tomato decided to kick it up!!

[nomnom]

Looking forward to more u/s updates!

shortstuff Go where you'll be comfortable. If that means switching practices now, it's probably easier to do now than in a month or two. My doc is weaning me off of PIO and estrace starting at 12 weeks. I'll be off estrace completely by 13 weeks and PIO by 15 weeks--no testing. I guess if the placentas are going to take over hormone production they'd better have done it by then.

lilyharper Yes, bleeding/spotting turned brown and stopped by evening on Sunday. I forgot to get labs drawn yesterday morning because I was so excited to have slept the whole night (besides a couple of brief bathroom breaks). I went this morning instead and got a fishy band-aid. Results should be in this afternoon.

ginnyjones82 Congrats! I love seeing my babies on u/s.

juneroses A 6-pound gain is impressive in spite of m/s. I think I'm around my original weight again at 12w+.

ETA: since a few posts snuck in while I was writing mine...

Yay @ketchup! I've been waiting and hoping for good news.

[sewfie2]

@ketchup, maybe Tiny Tomato was too focused on getting settled in and comfortable. Now they're like "Oh, time to perform for the dr!"

[bluefairy5]

shortstuff I will see my OB for the first time on Friday, so I'll report back re: sushi! Most of the actual scientific literature I've found seems to agree that if it's a clean restaurant run up to code (which would, as you say, be a sushi place that's never gotten you sick in regular visits) then it's as safe as eating cooked low-mercury fish.

My RE told me I could stop PIO today (measuring 7w1d) but I gave him googly eyes until he said, "Okay, continue through Friday when you see the OB." So I'll feel her out about it. In my case it's probably silly since my P4 has been sky-high this entire time due to OHSS, but still. I'm right there with y'all on the paranoia about it.

And as alluded to above, the RE kicked me out to my OB today. *sniff* Everything's looking on track, so I go back one last time on Thursday to check hcg/E2/P4, but that's just bloods. I got all misty. Part of me wishes they'd offered me another week like @ketchup (well, or two more; you're a week ahead of me) but part of me is like, "It is TIME to get back to an IN-NETWORK DOCTOR." Mostly that part is my bank account.

[somer]

So great to see the good news all around and best of luck to those who have appointments this week!

How far are you now?
9 weeks 5 days

How are you feeling?
Pretty good most of the time. Never had too much m/s but recently it is even better. I only get tiny nausea here and there. Constipation was main issue between weeks 5-8 but now it is much better.
My main issue for the past week is sciatic pain. It is killing me! It moves from left to right and right to left (currently is on the right hip). Walking is very painful. Does anybody else get these sciatic pains? When I see my MFM this Thursday I will ask for an order to a physiotherapist who specializes in pregnant women.

What and when is your next appointment?
Because I have immune related issues and seeing Dr. KK in Chicago, she wants me to get weekly u/s and b/w throughout first trimester. I have been having weekly u/s since week 4 and collecting my baby's pictures for a great album that nobody else has My next appointment is my first appointment with an MFM this Thursday. Looking forward to seeing the LO and hearing the heart beat!

Anything else you'd like to share or discuss?
I just had a very bad experience with an OB last week. It was my first appointment with him after I graduated from RE. Dr.KK in Chicago has me on lovenox for blood clotting, prednisone and IVIG for immune attacks. And, the OB was just so mean. He said that all that immune stuff is hocus-pocus. It is so disrespectful since I do believe in it and found success with the immune therapy. He also told me that he does not feel comfortable monitoring me while I am all this unnecessary medication. Well, guess what, I do not want your monitoring either! I was so mad, I could not even enjoy seeing my LO on the u/s. Hoping that the MFM appointment this Thursday will go better and she is a reasonable person.

QOTW: What's your favorite vacation spot and why?
I like city excursions: walking around town, eating good food, acting as if I am local. And, I'd enjoy doing it in any city but my favorites are NYC, Paris, Florence, Barcelona.

[kbrooke06]

nomnom can you put x2 for me? Two beans are growing!

How far are you now? 6 weeks 5 days.

How are you feeling? So so tired. I get naseous if I don't eat often enough, but thankfully no throw up yet! I'm bloated beyond belief. Can't button my pants at all. Found these great maternity bands that have slots to fasten your pants to it. Makes me feel way more secure! Boobs are out of control. Spilling out of my DD bras. Ugh.

What and when is your next appt? 3/27 for our first OB appt. I'll be 8 weeks 1 day. Our RE is on vacation and I didn't want to wait too long to see them. I'm nuts lol. Feels weird, like I'm cheating on my RE.

Anything else you'd like to share or discuss? We announced to DH's family this past weekend once we had the ultrasound showing twins. They were completely shocked. We told them we had to do IVF back when we first found out, but didn't tell anyone for the last few months that we were doing it. We keep watching the video of the announcement l, makes me cry every time! We had told my family the day of BFP since they live next door and we already had plans for dinner with them.

QOTW: so tough! We would just looooove to go on another cruise. We went last year for our honeymoon. We live in a beach town in SoCal, so we get to sit on the beach whenever (sorry ladies ). our next trip is to San Francisco in April for our 1st anniversary. We are also planning a trip for next year to Australia. We just love seeing new places!

[lilyharper]

Yay @ketchup! Was it dancing like this?. That took forever to find.

shortstuff and somer, you'll probably never get as many u/s's as you want but screw your ob. I've found many people look at if patients like we're nuts for worrying, but screw them. Find someone who takes your concerns seriously. And specifically somer, I know a lot of ob's don't take reproductive immunology seriously, but that's their problem. I know many people just don't tell their ob's.

nomnom, glad to hear that. And jealous of a fishy band aid. I just get the coband stuff.

kbrooke06, I think having other people so excited makes it more real.

[bluefairy5]

Congrats on the twins, kbrooke06!

Hehe, lilyharper, you'll have to pull that out again when we're all over on the 2nd tri checkin and the Tiny Tomato starts kicking @ketchup

[shortstuff]

Look, I made it back here! Twice in 1 day! Whoo hoo! But that's only because I'm procrastinating from making the 32 pounds of icing I need to go make.

Smootiepie - It's nice to hear that your bloat has gone down. I gives me some hope!

fluffydamn - Try not to panic. Hopefully the little one is just puttering along at it's own speed.

lilyharper - so glad there's nothing to be worried about! And come on, who wouldn't want an extra vaginal exam!?

ginnyjones82 - How awesome to see the baby moving around!

sewfie2 - Thanks. I would probably feel better if she told me to stop after the u/s, but she didn't. She just wants me to go cold turkey on Monday when I'm 12 weeks. I'm freaking out about it. I'm so sad that I can't just stay with my ob/gyn that I've been using for years. I love her.

nomnom - Thanks. I may just wean myself off and not go cold turkey.

bluefairy5 - Oh wow. 7 weeks is really early to stop PIO. No way would I do that.
Crap. Your little picture is killing me! lol

[lilyharper]

shortstuff, how about you send an extra pound of icing my way? No?

[fluffydamn]

@ketchup omg so excited!! Been waiting to see that beautiful update!!

[aves0708]

@ketchup, ginnyjones82, Congratulations on your wonderful ultrasounds!!

lilyharper, I can totally relate to your frustrations. I've been spotting for four weeks..I'm also guessing it's from my cervix. I just want my body to get it's shit together and stop bleeding. I'm emotionally exhausted from trying to be positive one minute and crying that there is no way this can work out the next.

A few questions to get you started:
How far are you now? 9w6d

How are you feeling? Everyday is different. Yesterday was a bad day, with little food intake. Today on the other hand I felt really good all day. It was such a nice relief.

What and when is your next appointment? I had my intake appt with the nurse today. It was just suppose to be a talking appointment but when they were asking me how my pregnancy is going and I told them about the spotting they insisted on an ultrasound to make sure everything was good. I didn't argue. The ultrasound was very quick just to check if everything was ok, but I actually got to hear the heartbeat. That was surreal. AND it was an ABDOMINAL ultrasound!! I was like you don't want me to take my pants off??? Next appointment, which will be the first real appointment with the OB, is Friday.

Anything else you'd like to share or discuss? Still spotting daily, but the appointment today really made me feel better. Maybe someday I will be a normal pregnant person....sigh.


QOTW: What's your favorite vacation spot and why? My favorite spot to vacation, aka relax and let all my stress/worries fade away, is the beach. The sand, waves, amazing wildlife and views just instantly relax me. I can just sit there and watch the waves for hours and be completely content.

[lilyharper]

aves0708, the bleeding can fucking suck a lemon. And abdominal u/s's are the best thing since sliced bread.

[dharmachick]

nomnom, could you update my EDD? The RE confirmed that it is 11/4, which is right on track.

bluefairy5, don't go down that rabbit hole! I've caught myself reading stuff like that (b/c IF makes us obsess over everything) and it never makes me feel good.

It sounds like many of us (Smootiepie, bluefairy5, @buttmonkey, etc.) are moving on to the OB from the RE. Such a weird feeling, right?

fluffydamn, hang in there. Anxiety sucks - kick its ass!

nomnom, I love Scotland! I highly recommend the highlands. We visited there in May (many years a go), and lucked out with fantastic weather.

Congrats on the u/s, ginnyjones82!

shortstuff - yeah, the headaches have been off and on, and sometimes seem sinus-related. Good luck with yours. I don't know about you, but Tylenol doesn't seem to do much for me.

@ketchup, YAY!! I'm so glad to see your update about your little tomato!!

[bluefairy5]

dharmachick SO weird to be graduating from the RE, yes. Weird and bittersweet and exciting and...

aves0708 I'm sorry to hear you're also dealing with bleeding. It's frankly just rude of the body to do that to a PAIFer. I hope it resolves and you find it's absolutely nothing to worry about.

fluffydamn Did you say your next u/s is this Thursday, or did I make that up in my head?

[dharmachick]

Almost forgot to post my own update!

Yesterday we had our u/s and got to see the hb (125bpm). I couldn't stop smiling! The RE said that everything is measuring on track, and confirmed that the EDD is November 4.

How far are you now? 7 wks

How are you feeling? The lung pain from the fluids (from OHSS) has gotten significantly better, though there is still some soreness and my ovaries are gigantic, and one of them moved to on top of my uterus. RE says that they will likely stay that big for a long time. She even commented that I look 16 weeks along. (I have a petite frame, so it really stands out!) Nausea has been kept at bay with frequent healthy snacks, ginger, and some luck (that I hope to hang onto!).

What and when is your next appointment?
I need to schedule one with my OB. I wasn't expecting it, but my last RE appointment was yesterday. I was pretty shocked, and now I'm ridiculously anxious and weepy over it. Thanks general anxiety + hormones! It just seems so weird that I won't be seeing them anymore, after being there for a year and a half. In general, I don't like goodbyes, and I feel like I didn't thank them enough.

Anything else you'd like to share or discuss? After learning about the Snoogle during a previous check-in thread, I ordered one, and I love it!

Also, I was glad to learn that my RE's office will take my leftover meds (Gonal-F, and a ton of Endometrin) as donated meds. I was lucky to have great prescription coverage, and I know that is not often the case for others.


QOTW: What's your favorite vacation spot and why? I loved Kauai, and would love to return there. It was the perfect combination of relaxing and and active, not to mention one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

ETA: My first OB appointment will be on April 9. That seems like forever away from now!

[fluffydamn]

Mar 18, 2015 7:02:25 GMT -5 bluefairy5 said:

dharmachick SO weird to be graduating from the RE, yes. Weird and bittersweet and exciting and...

aves0708 I'm sorry to hear you're also dealing with bleeding. It's frankly just rude of the body to do that to a PAIFer. I hope it resolves and you find it's absolutely nothing to worry about.

fluffydamn Did you say your next u/s is this Thursday, or did I make that up in my head?

no I wish it were. It's next Thursday. It would have been Monday but I can't get off work for it. So next Thursday :/

[swyatt2014]

How far are you now? 9 weeks, 4 days

How are you feeling? nausea is tapering off a smidge and boob pain as well. I am so thankful for that.

What and when is your next appointment?
It's actually today. Kaiser gave me this HUGE packet with like a 10 month pregnant lady on the front that says "congrats, you're having a baby!" and its like 30 pages long hahahahahaha. Of course I read it from front to back and it talks about exercise, diet, and changes to the body. Good stuff. So today I think I'm getting some bloodwork done and possibly an US? I have no idea.


QOTW: What's your favorite vacation spot and why?
Anywhere all inclusive with water is good for me! We are going to Punta Cana in May and my mind is already in vacation mode. I can't focus.