I received the results from the NT scan and related blood work and everything looks normal! I was pretty sure that would be the case but was still a little nervous till I got my results.

I finally broke down the other day and purchased a bunch of maternity clothes. Surprisingly enough shopping for maternity wear is 10x easier than regular clothes shopping. That kinda surprised me. I'm also officially out at work. So far only my manager know as I'm not going to be able to hide the little bump that I have for much longer.

Mike's and my "job" starting in the next few weeks is to start the researching process on items that we need for the little one. I started a registry on Amazon the other day but so far haven't added anything yet. I'm a little overwhelmed at all the choices and various options but know that once I get started it'll be a lot better. I just have to bit the bullet and take that first step.

I hope everyone has had a happy holidays. Mike and I wish all of you a Happy New Year!

My blood pressure yesterday was normal. So i think it is just nerves that is throwing it off. Also my lab work on Friday came back normal.

I'll finally get the results from the screening that i did a month ago this week as they put me down for the more extensive testing (less false positives) and i got the last blood work done yesterday. So I'm hoping to have that by the end of the week. The good news is that my NT scan looked very good.

A couple more weeks and we'll be having our anatomy scan. Provided the little one cooperates, we will know of we well be having a boy or a girl. Then Mike and I can start discussing names.

12/21 appointment

Went well other than my blood pressure being elevated. Got a bunch of lab work done and am now going back on Monday for a blood pressure check and more blood work. They are being overly cautious, which I'm fine with.

Heart rate sounded good. Heard the little one kicking away. I should be able to start feeling him/her in a few weeks. Still haven't gained any weight.

Now if I could only get rid of this cold/sinus thing that i have I'll be very happy. Have the list of approved drugs and I've been taking them.

More most likely on Monday.

Almost out of the first trimester!

Got a couple more days and I'll be in the second trimester! It seems like my body has gotten ahead of itself as I'm starting to get a few more fun symptoms. The other ones have calmed down but I'm not liking the massive headaches, Tylenol had only barely touched today's. Also didn't like almost fainting while buying my lunch. I didn't and i am okay and didn't fall.

Haven't gotten my results from the first tri screen yet but I'm guessing they will tell me at my appointment in 2 weeks. Will post more after that appointment.

NT Scan complete

Am just waiting for the results of the combination of the scan and blood work. We got to see a lot of arm waving and kicking going on which the tech was doing the scan. I'm also measuring 4 days ahead. So technically today I'm 11w2d but am measuring 11w6d. The measurement from crown to rump is approximately 51.0mm (about 2 inches long). Things are looking good. Here's two of the scans that we got to take home.

Froglett is definitely looking more human. You can see the leg kicking right here. The arms are hidden in this scan.

The tech managed to get a picture while Froglett wasn't moving. You can see the leg better and right about the stomach is the faint little hand.

We got to see the little heart beating away (at about 163 bpm) and they turned on the sound so we got to hear it as well.

To the new people (as we are starting to announce shortly), I recommend that you go back to the first posts and read forward. Also I only tend to update when I've had an appointment or I've been given some results. I have to wait about a week or so for them to tell me the ratio of the ERA test.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We definitely have a lot to be thankful this year.

First OB appointment

I really really like my OB. She got Mike blushing and turning very red. I also got an unexpected ultrasound today as she could tell that I was kinda nervous. So instead of trying to find the heartbeat with the doppler, she brought us into the ultrasound room. Froglett was moving around and the heartbeat is around the mid 150s. So things are still looking good. And my miscarriage risk has dropped to 3-5% which I'm very happy about.

Scheduled a whole bunch more appointments. We have our first trimester scan in Boston on Friday afternoon. It's one of the non-invasive tests to check for chromosomal abnormalities. So I get 2 ultrasounds this week! And we're getting that much closer to the end of the first trimester which hopefully my energy levels will be coming back and I'll be feeling less queasy.

Enjoy the latest picture of Froglett!

10 weeks!

We have hit the 10 week mark! Which means my last dose of progesterone is tomorrow! I'm just a little but excited about that.

I meet my OB next Wednesday, which I'm debating about taking the day off from work as it will be a short day due to Thanksgiving. It would be nice to have an extra day. We will be scheduling an ultrasound for the coming weeks (between 11w1d and 13w) and then the next one won't be until 18 weeks.

We are also planning to announce to more friends, family and possibly Facebook/Google+ within the next few weeks as by the end of this month we will be racing the end of the first trimester and our miscarriage risk goes down even further.

Will update more after my next appointment. I'm trying not to inundate with info and posts.

First NP appointment

It went well yesterday. It was a lot of talking, finish filling out paperwork, including registration for delivering at Beth Israel. They also took a ton of blood (6 tubes). She went over a bunch of stuff and various testing we may or may not want to do - down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, genetic testing on Mike (due to his Jewish heritage). Also went over family history and all that jazz.

I have been told no exercise until I hit the 2nd trimester since I did have a little bit of bleeding 2 weeks or so ago. They are airing on the side of caution with me. Once I do hit the 2nd trimester, they recommend walking or cycling. I guess it's a good thing that we have the stationary bike.

I am staying on the extra progesterone until the 15th as my levels are a little under where they want them to be. That'll take me up to 10 weeks, in which the placenta will be fully formed and will be generating the appropriate levels of progesterone.

After my appointment, Mike and I decided to go out for Indian as I had a Groupon. It was tasty. Of course when we finally got home, I was completely wiped and fell asleep on the couch around 8:30/9pm, Mike woke me up around 11 to have me go upstairs (and take out my contacts) and I finally rolled out of bed this morning around 10:30. I think I was just a bit tired. I'm going to be so happy once I'm out of the first trimester and I get my energy levels back.

Next doctor appointment on the 21st in which I'll get to meet my OB. They'll be able to use the doppler to hear the heartbeat from this appointment on wards! I think my next ultrasound will be somewhere around 16-20 weeks (additional downs scan/testing as well as finding out the gender!).

I've graduated!

I had my 2nd ultrasound and doctor's appointment with my RE today. Things are looking good. Froglett is measuring right on track (7w6d). We got to "hear" the heartbeat today and it's measuring at 153bpm! I find out tomorrow if I need to continue taking the extra progesterone. If I do need to continue, it'll only be for another 2 weeks.

Here are a few of the scans from today. We got a ton more than last time (I chose a selection so not to bore you) and all but one were 3D.

The big circle is the yolk sack which is currently measuring at 3.1 (anything under 5 is good). It'll disappear around 12 weeks.

Here are the two 3D scans which makes Froglett look like a gummy bear. You can see the little buds forming for his/her arms and legs!

It's scary to think that I'm growing a little person! I'm still super excited and every good appointment adds to my excitement level.

One other piece of good news is that I graduated from my RE. He released me into the care of an OB. I did some research after my last appointment and chose one of the OB's in the Burlington office. She has admitting privileges at Beth Israel. So we'll be going into Boston to deliver but I prefer that, especially after growing up near UMass Medical and after everything I've gone through to get where I am, I want to be close to the best medical care.

Next appointment is this Friday with my OB's NP. And because my OB is super popular, they had to squeeze me in for my initial appointment with her which is right before Thanksgiving. Don't know when my next ultrasound will be. Might be around my OB appointment since I'll be 11 weeks at that point.

Everything is looking good and I really hope that it continues that way. I'm still not out of the woods yet in terms of miscarriage risk but the fact that Froglett looks good and a steady heartbeat was found reduces the likelihood.

First U/S and appointment!

I had my first ultrasound today at 6 weeks! I am so used to the transvaginal ultrasound probes. I've definitely loss track of how many I've had. It was nice seeing my little one instead of looking just at my ovaries and measuring follicle lengths. Also there was less pushing my ovaries and uterus around for the radiologist to get better views of my reproductive organs.

Things are looking good for the most part. My lining looks good. They saw the yolk sack, anything under 5 is good, the smaller the better and our number is 1.4. Our little one (Froglett) is measuring at 14.2 (I missed the measurement). I took home two ultrasound pictures.

Here's the non-zoomed out one:

And here's the zoomed in one:

As you can see the black area that looks like a banana is the sack and the little white blob at the top of the "banana" is Froglett.

I had some spotting on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. My RE does not want to take any chances and has put me on progesterone suppositories. I take the first one tomorrow. I do have an increased risk of miscarriage so he doesn't want to take any chances.

My next ultrasound is in less than 2 weeks on the 30th. We will be able to hear the heartbeat at my next ultrasound and be able to see more of a close up of Froglett. Which I'm excited about. According to my doctor, my estimated due date is June 12th. So I was close with what I thought it was. We have at least one more appointment with my RE before I get released to an OB/GYN.

My pregnancy symptoms have increased. Gotta love the sleeplessness despite being exhausted. Starting to get morning (various times of the day is a more accurate name) sickness but still haven't thrown up yet, which I'm happy about. The bloating is not fun, neither is the increased need to pee. It does mean that my body is doing what it is supposed to, which is a good thing after all the difficulties we went through to get where we are.

So history on the name "Froglett" for our little one. When I was an infant, when I slept, I looked like a frog, so my childhood nickname (despite Karen's screenname being KFrog...) was Froggie. I figured that Froglett is appropriate and Mike's going along with me.

Being pregnant is definitely more real now and less of an abstract. I hope Froglett continues to grow and stick.

Done with blood work (for now)

I had yet another blood test yesterday and my HCG numbers went up to 1428 (in 96 hours)! So I'm looking to be right on track. And my numbers are high enough so that I can stop the blood tests.

I also scheduled my first ultrasound appointment which is for next Thursday! We'll also be meeting with my RE afterwards and will find out if we are being released to an OB/GYN or if he wants to keep us for a few more weeks.

It is starting to get more real. Also had my first bit of feeling queasy this morning. I think it is tiredness induced as Ming (one of our cats) decided at 5 am that she wanted attention and to snuggle under the covers. Of course she needed help getting under.

So had more blood work taken yesterday. And my HCG leaves were at 290, so they are more than doubling which is very good. I get to go back for more on Tuesday.

Luckily no major pregnancy symptoms yet, just really really tired. As evidence of my hour nap that I just took. In fairness, did a bunch of work in the garden and planted half of it along with laying mulch.

Good news!

Got the call that my HCG levels are at 86, which means we are pregnant! Have more bloodwork scheduled for Friday so hopefully my numbers will double (and continue after that).

I'm getting a bit nervous as tomorrow is my blood pregnancy test. I have been taking HPT the past few days, and I have been getting a second line, albeit very faint. Tomorrow is the moment of truth of if this medicated cycle has worked. I hope it has and I can say after 24 months of trying and 20 actual cycle, that we are finally pregnant. Of course, if I am pregnant, my HCG numbers will need to double for the next week to confirm that the pregnancy is progressing. And then in about 2 weeks I should be able to schedule my first ultrasound.

Here's to hoping that I get the news that I want!

background

For those who don't know, Mike and I started our journey to try to get pregnant in September 2010. After so many years of trying to prevent, it was definitely weird to not be using any birth control whatsoever. In February of this year, I finally decided to talk to my doctor about not being pregnant yet. She referred me to a gynecologist who referred me to a Reproductive Endocrinologist ("RE" - aka fertility specialist). He ran a bunch of different tests and determined that putting me on medication was the best course of action. He likes to start with the least invasive procedures first.

The first month on medication (50mg Clomid), it was just oral tablets taken 5 days at the beginning of my cycle. The next month, same dosage of medication with adding in a trigger shot to force my body to ovulate. When that didn't work, I got an official diagnosis of being infertile and had a test to make sure that my tubes are clear (which they are). Luckily MA requires health insurance to cover fertility treatments and we met the health insurance requirements to cover our initial screening.

At the end of July, we qualified for our insurance to cover intrauterine insemination ("IUI" - aka artificial insemination). I was all set to start taking my next round of Clomid at the beginning of August when a cyst was discovered on one of my ovaries left over from June's medicated cycle. Since Clomid stimulates the ovaries, it can also make cysts grow at the same time and there is the potential for damage if ones gets too big. Luckily, by the beginning of September, it had decreased enough that I could start my Clomid and have my IUI.

So right now I'm just waiting to go in for my blood pregnancy test and trying not to drive myself too crazy.
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I am not going to be posting much about our pregnancy journey on Facebook or Google+ as I don't want to accidentally over inundate someone who is struggling to conceive by tons of pregnancy related posts and pictures. I know what that feels like and I don't want to do that to someone else.

Feel free to ask any questions about the whole process. I'll answer pretty much anything.

~Katie