PGAL Check-In - Week of 10/17

NamelessAria

The weekly PGAL (pregnant after loss) check-in is for moms who have been through previous loss. Let's get through this together. 


Introduce yourself if you haven't yet.

How far along are you? 

How are you doing? 

When is your next appointment? 

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 

mrlight

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet. Hi, everyone!  I introduced myself last week!

How far along are you? 5 weeks

How are you doing? I’m doing really great!  I’m staying positive, and although I’m a little nervous each time I go to the doctor that my numbers aren’t rising, I have to believe that I’m doing everything in my power to keep this baby. 

Plus, I don’t remember if it was on this thread or a different one last week, but someone pointed out that whether you let yourself get excited or not, if you were to have another loss, it would be devastating, so you may as well enjoy it as long as you can!  I thought that was great advice!

When is your next appointment? I have a Beta draw on Wednesday.  If everything looks good, I’ll schedule my ultrasound.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: Same rant as my ticker change thread, but I hate when people wish sickness on me.  Just because I’m not getting MS (yet) does not mean I don’t have a healthy pregnancy!

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? I love fall!  I love the cooler, but not cold, weather.  It’s finally football season and my birthday and anniversary is in the fall!  I love the clothes, the coffee, and the changing leaves.

NamelessAria

@mrlight FX'd for a good beta on Wednesday! I understand not wanting morning sickness because who really wants to be dealing with nausea and vomiting. I know a lot of PGAL ladies find it comforting though since maybe they didn't have morning sickness with their loss. I didn't have morning sickness with any of my 6 first tri losses so as much as I really don't want morning sickness it would be somewhat comforting and would ease my mind a bit between appointments.

If you don't "need" it for the reassurance then hopefully you get to be one of the lucky ladies who go the whole pregnancy without it.

mrlight

@NamelessAria Thank you!  I wouldn't mind getting MS for a little more reassurance.  I am just tired of people wishing it on me, if that makes sense.

mkrel

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet.
I have. Second pregnancy, one loss at around 7 weeks last May.

How far along are you? 
6 weeks 3 days 

How are you doing? 
Doing well overall, but starting to get very nervous for my ultrasound on Wednesday. With my loss we saw a hb but it was very low and had stopped beating before our follow up one week later.  I will be relieved to see a strong hb, but I think it will take a couple of good ultrasounds to make me feel like I'm in the clear.  My biggest fear right now is being in limbo again. that was one of the most difficult and stressful weeks of my life and I am praying that we don't have to go through that again. As nervous as I am, I'm feeling confident that this will be our take home baby. We are headed to visit my parents on Wednesday afternoon, and I'm looking forward to sharing the good news in person.

When is your next appointment? 
Wednesday the 19th

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 
Just trying to stay positive for all of us. 

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
Before moving to TX from San Diego I LOVED summer. Now I would have to say spring and fall because I love being outside and those are really the best times of year here to enjoy the outdoors in tolerable weather.

NamelessAria

@mrlight Definitely makes sense! I feel like my husband and my mother have been wishing it on me a bit and I'm like "You need to stop doing that. Only I can wish it on me!"

@MKRLTX FX'd you hear a nice, strong heartbeat at your ultrasound. I can understand how stressful the limbo must have been. I remember the limbo from my first miscarriage though mine wasn't related to a heartbeat. Mine was just waiting to see if the spotting I was having was "perfectly normal" or a sign of a miscarriage. And I hear you when you say the limbo days where the worst. I felt like that when the miscarriage was confirmed at least I had closure and I could start grieving. I really hope everything goes well for you!

Do you have any cute announcements plans or are you just going to tell your parents? I just told my parents because after all my struggles with IF and loss I didn't feel like doing anything cutesy for them. My husband wants to wait and do a cutesy announcement for his family though.

HgPa

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet. I introduced myself last time. I'm Hannah

How far along are you? 7 w 2 d

How are you doing? I'm starting to be really nervous. Theoretically I'm past my loss milestone of 6.5 weeks, but I thought I was 8.5 weeks when it happened. I feel like I can't relax until 9 weeks. 

When is your next appointment? A week from today I have an appointment with a hemotologist about my Von Willebrands factor. 1st ultrasound on 11/8.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I have a work trip to Boise (~1 hour by plane) the first week of November. My husband is coming and I'm taking Friday off for sort of a mini babymoon thing. Im
just so nervous something is going to happen while I'm away from home

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? Summer. In the Northwest, it really feels like you've earned it!

mkrel

@mrlight and @NamelessAria I totally get the morning sickness thing. This time I have had more nausea, but I don't feel like it means anything. With my loss I only had a few passing waves of nausea and my mil who I know means well said that she was sure during my next pregnancy I would feel more sick.  It kind of irritated me. I am one of three children and my mom wasn't sick with any of us so I don't think you have to be sick to have a viable pregnancy.

mkrel

@NamelessAria No we don't have anything too fun planned. I know that when they pick us up we will be going out to dinner so I plan to order a drink to throw them off (and have DH ultimately drink it) and tell them our dog is going to be a big brother. We have been talking about getting another dog so I'm thinking that's what they will assume and then hopefully show them a picture of the ultrasound.
And I feel the same way as you said about not being able to really start grieving. The whole process was so draining.

ETA: we also plan to do something a little more fun with DH'S family at Thanksgiving. This will be their first grandchild so I think they would appreciate a more elaborate announcement. Not sure exactly what we will do though.

DungeonTrollMel

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet. Did a late intro on last week. I'm Mel. 4th pregnancy this year. MMC at 9 weeks in late February followed by 2 CPs

How far along are you? 5w1d

How are you doing? I'm a wreck right now. I'm so stressed that something has happened. My betas last week all increased but we're always on the lower range of normal so I'm terrified it's a crappy egg again. H keeps wanting me to POAS to make sure the line is strong for HIS piece of mind. It is, but I keep thinking it should be way darker and thicker than the control by now so I'm freaked out my numbers are staying stagnant 

When is your next appointment? Beta Wednesday and early scan Thursday 

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 


Winter!!! I absolutely love snow

awoodruff27

I'm definitely with you @mrlight! I'd be perfectly fine. I had morning sickness with my mmc even after baby was gone. So I don't hold much stock in symptoms. 

AFM: 


Introduce yourself if you haven't yet. Did last week

How far along are you? 4 weeks 5 days

How are you doing? One minute I'm fine, then next I'm convinced that this is too good to be true..so it must not be. 

When is your next appointment? Tomorrow, blood work. Then Oct 24th for my ob orientation. 

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I spent 20 min on hold today. The nurse was so sweet when I finally got through, but it doesn't give me a huge amount of confidence for this clinic. (we are military so changing clinic's isn't easy) 

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 

Winter!! Well now it is because the south doesn't have a real fall lol. Plus Christmas and my birthday are in December. 

NamelessAria

@MKRLTX  The whole "first grandchild" thing is also a huge part of why we're doing something a bit... more for my in-laws. If this ends up being my take-home baby by the time s/he is born my parents will already have 2 other children so it just isn't the same for them. This baby would be the first grandchild for my in-laws though.

Your plan to tell your parents is simple but cute. I like it!

@DungeonTrollMel If it makes you feel any better my Wondfos didn't have test lines as dark as the control line till after my beta that came back at 743. I'm assuming based off my doubling time that my hCG would have been around 1400 when the test line was finally as dark as the control. I definitely was pretty stressed out over how long it was taking to get really dark. I kept telling myself I'd wait and do my last ClearBlue Digital with Weeks Estimator when I should see 3+ based off doubling. But I ended up deciding that seeing 2-3 would upset me more than seeing 3+ would comfort me. It's hard with tests trying to decide what is comforting and what isn't. I'm sorry. All the hugs. Hopefully you get some good beta numbers on Wednesday and a great scan on Thursday to ease your mind.

mrlight

@NamelessAria Yes!!

@MKRLTX FX that your ultrasound goes well on Wednesday!  Limbo stage is the worst!  With my first pregnancy, I had low progesterone in my first Beta, so I had to take progesterone pills and come back in two days to see if my levels had risen or not.  Those 2 days were so stressful, and like NamelessAria I didn’t feel like I could really start grieving until it was confirmed.  I know it’s not the same as the heartbeat, and I can’t imagine what you must be feeling. 

@HgPa Have fun on your mini babymoon!  DH and I are actually doing the same thing next month.  I have a work conference scheduled in Orange Beach next month for three days, so we decided to make it a mini-vacation and stay 4 more days.  (It was planned before I knew I was KU, so it’s kind of a babymoon, now.)

@DungeonTrollMel FX you have a good Beta on Wednesday!

@awoodruff27 The South’s fall is just a less hot summer, which is what I love about it!  I’m a big fan of 65-75 degree weather!

Mashunya425

How far along are you? 

7 weeks 4 days

How are you doing? 
I've been sick...as in congested, sore throat, headache sick. Add it to my mostly mild sometimes moderate nausea and I am absolutely miserable. 

When is your next appointment? 
Thursday...first US. So nervous...DH isn't much help..."You can't control any of it so stop worrying". Last time I had a MMC seen at around 13 weeks (stopped growing at 9 weeks) but for some reason I feel like if I get through this US at 8 weeks I should be mostly in the clear...although I guess I felt like that the first time around too. 

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 
So in regards to my sickness...I haven't had a fever and I haven't taken any medications. But it is still giving me a lot of anxiety, ladies. It's just a cold- but could it impact my pregnancy in any way?

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
Honestly, anything besides winter time. Unless we are doing our Colorado trip and I am snowboarding- then winter is great. This winter won't be great (god willing everything goes as planned...)

DungeonTrollMel

@NamelessAria I've been trying to find when tests are as dark as control lines (Google rabbit hole) so thank you so much. I've been holding off on my last week estimator too because I know it needs to be over 2600. Wednesday if I have 48 hour double I should be 1800 or if I keep at my 37 hour doubles than I would be close but not there so I may keep waiting 

thankfully

How far along are you? 5w3d

How are you doing? Pretty good. Anxious at times but optimistic.

When is your next appointment? Left a message to schedule it but I don't know yet.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I can't believe I'm saying this but my first aversion seems to be sweet stuff, like baked goods. I guess it's a good thing, but...

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why?   
Summer - we love camping, especially beach camping. I like the heat, the vibe, family time. October is my favorite month though.

JAGinMI

I intro'd last week - short story: two textbook pregnancies, then a MMC discovered in August when I was 10w but baby had only made it to 7w4d. Had a d&c a little less than a week later after misoprostol didn't work. (I wish everyone without siggys would start with something like this because unless it is in your siggy, I am having a hard time remembering people's situation by just their name).

How far along are you? 4w5d

How are you doing? Trying to keep my anxiety at bay. Sure wish I had a crystal ball right about now.

When is your next appointment? Just scheduled it today - I will be 8w2d.

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I have taken two positive tests, one 6 days ago (digi) and then one today. I had 3 BFNs on "normal tests" before my positive digi and I just had to see a normal test show me, too. It was nice to see the plus sign nice and dark because one week ago today there wasn't even the faintest of lines!

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? Fall! It's just wonderful weather and beauty in MI for the most part from September to November. Plus I love fall colors, fall clothes, all things pumpkin, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Everything about it makes me happy.

mrt

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet.
I have, but I'll refresh your memory- 2 boys, no issues. complete mc in the er in January at 8 weeks.

How far along are you? 
5 weeks 6days

How are you doing? 
Good, had some strong nausea at the grocery store yesterday. So many smells, and I felt so hot! Other than that and sore nipples, I'm about as tired as I have ever been.

When is your next appointment? 
Thursday - confirmation of pregnancy 

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 
my boss is driving me crazy!

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
Fall- love the weather and my birthday!

Yailani23

How far along are you? 6w5d

How are you doing? All day sickness is kicking my butt.

When is your next appointment? I had an ultrasound appointment today, got to see our sweet pea, I'm so excited!

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: Keeping a positive mind that this is our sticky baby! 

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why?  I love the spring. I love the fresh new flowers, the rain is so relaxing (at times) and it's the season to shed the coats and go outside. 

mkrel

@Yailani23 So glad to hear that you're ultrasound went well and baby is looking great!

FSUNole31

7w2d

Today was hard.  I woke up anxious and it stayed with me all day.  I keep thinking worse case scenarios and it sucks.

My first appt with viability ultrasound is October 26.  

Trying really hard hard to be as positive as I can.

I love hypothetical Autumn, but FL autumn sucks weather wise so I live vicariously through pictures from friends up north on Facebook.  I do love the start of the holiday season though especially with kids.

desertdweller21

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet. I believe I did, but I've been trying for a year and had a CP in April. I just started seeing a RE in September (one year mark), but I ended up having a "spontaneous pregnancy" as they call it (they barely started diagnosing me when I got my BFP). 

How far along are you? LMP: 5w5d OPK: 5w 1-3 days Ultrasound: 5w2d (I guess I'll stick with 5w2d)

How are you doing? Great for the most part. I had my first ultrasound today, just for placement. The RE is still treating me despite this being a "spontaneous" pregnancy. The sac is where it should be, so that put my mind at ease. *TMI* I bled after sex Saturday which of course freaked me out! I wasn't told to abstain before, but now I have been. I was fearing the worst. They drew more blood today to make sure my numbers are still doubling and to check my progesterone. I'll get the results tomorrow. Since the bleeding stopped and they saw the sac, I'm allowing myself to feel better. I still don't really have symptoms though, aside from occasional breast tenderness. 

When is your next appointment? Follow up ultrasound 10/24

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? Where I live, we really only have two seasons, summer and a few months with fall or spring like temperatures elsewhere. I love fall though, as it means a break from the brutal heat and the beginning of my favorite holidays. 

bbbee414

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet.
I have previously but as a quick reminder  15mon old son, a MC before him and then again last month. Super anxious and hopeful that this is our month! 

How far along are you? 
5 weeks 4 or 5 days (unsure due to MC last month)
How are you doing? 
Hanging in there as we all are trying too! I have few if any symptoms which is not helping. Trying to not be to excited but not loose hope either. 
When is your next appointment? 
Next appt is Friday (21st) for an early ultrasound. 
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 
My OB thinks I have lost my mind (as well as his office staff). My first appt (besides bloodwork) I went on the wrong day and then had a minor moment because taking off work is nearly impossible ... lets be real I am just going to blame it on the hormones. My rave is that they are so sweet and working so hard to make my schedule work. My rant is by far work - love my job but its so taxing and this early in pregnancy I can't very well say ... no I am sorry I can not lift that 200lb patient ... bleh! 
TKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
Cheesy but I love all of the seasons (in moderation) I absolutely love the change overs to spring and fall the best but I live for summer!

JessyKV

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet.
Quick recap.  I have an almost 2 and almost 4 year old and had a mmc and d&c at 9 weeks in August and got pregnant again immediately after mc. 

How far along are you? 
7w1d
How are you doing? 
Ok.  I've been super nauseous but taking unisom
and b6 at night has been helping. 

When is your next appointment? 
I had an intake apt today and first ultrasound Wednesday. 

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: I was supposed to have an ultrasound today and feel like I've been waiting forever so when I was at my intake apt and they called to tell me my ultrasound was canceled when it was an hour away I almost snapped.  I guess the doctor had an emergency.  At least they could reschedule for Wednesday but now I have to find someone to help me with my son while I go. 

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why?
Fall for sure! I love the cool weather and fall clothes.  My birthday is October and I love fall holidays.   

sjohns908

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet.
I did last week, but I have 3 kids, then 2 chemicals earlier this year

How far along are you? 
5w 4d

How are you doing? 
I'm doing alright physically. Having night sweats, hot flashes during the day, not too much nausea, I try to stay ahead of it by eating pretty much all day. I'm pretty tired, but used to that having 3 kids Trying to stay positive, but having a hard time.

When is your next appointment? 
My nurse visit is next Wednesday and my first OB visit is Nov 4th

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 
Just trying to keep this a secret and keep positive that it will be fine

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
Fall, I love fall after the hot, humid midwest summers! I love doing the apple orchard, pumpkin patch and decorating my house

HookEmNelson

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet.
Quick recap - I am April and have a 5 year old son.  Trying for babe number 2 since November. 
Miscarried once in December and again in July.

How far along are you? 6w6d

How are you doing? Feeling decent, I have waves on symptoms daily.  Today, nausea hit me and it took me back to how I felt 5 years ago with my son.  So that helped with my positivity regarding this pregnancy.  I'm finding myself happy with just taking this on one day at a time.

When is your next appointment? Next appt. is November 8th.  

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: Thankful to still be here with you ladies!  This is the longest I have been pregnant within this past year.

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
I really love winter.  We don't get much of one here in Texas, but I really enjoy being cozy in my house. 

yolandamunoz

How far along are you? 
6w2d today

How are you doing? 
I am mostly ok. Sometimes I get nervous and anxious. Like today because I have an appointment in the afternoon for an US. I am hoping to see my little baby's heartbeat, FX. That would be the best.

When is your next appointment? 
Today!

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 
Positive vibes to everyone dealing with anxiety these days. @DungeonTrollMel I read somewhere that the lines on HPT are not supposed to get darker as your numbers go up, not necessarily. I hope you find this reassuring and hang in there until your next beta and US.

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
Oh I love winter, because I like winter clothing better. I am always cold, but I like to turn on the heat, and chill under a nice warm blanket, next to DH and dear puppy dog. They are warm!

c1tym0m22

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet.
DD is 2.5, and had a CP in September.

How far along are you? About 4.5 weeks

How are you doing? Ok. TW: Had some sharp pains last night that made me panic and go to the ER. 5 hours later, after bloodwork and an ultrasound, they're pretty sure it's not ectopic - but I'll need to follow up. I don't like being an anxious pregnant lady

When is your next appointment? Oct 26th 

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: Trying to stay positive - hcg levels were consistent with how far along I think I am, and no spotting.

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
Spring - it's always nice to shed the warm sweaters!

a2003tiger

Introduce yourself if you haven't yet.
I'm Amanda. I'm 35 and have two kids (4 and 3). I had a MMC at 8 weeks in april and have been dealing with secondary infertility trying to conceive our final child. I'm forcing myself to post here today, even though I'm likely about to experience another loss, as this pregnancy is looking to be non-viable. 

How far along are you? 
Per dates, 5w6d. 

How are you doing? 
Physically, I'm pregnant. I'm nauseated, have heartburn, sore boobs, exhaustion. Emotionally, I'm a wreck. I've gone from sobbing, to anger to numb and complacent. I'm just so ready to have an answer so that I can either get excited or begin to heal. 

When is your next appointment? 
3:30 today. To recap, I've had low HCGs. They were doubling appropriately a time least, until my last check on Thursday. They barely doubled over 5 days and are still incredibly low. There was nothing in my uterus on ultrasound and some free fluid around my leftover side (possible ectopic or might just be normal from ovulation). I had an HCG drawn yesterday and will have a follow up ultrasound today before meeting with the RE. 

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 
I've pretty much said them all. This is just so hard. 

GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
Fall, without a doubt. The temperatures, the leaves, the smells and the tastes...I love them all. 

brij2006

How far along are you? 
6w6d
How are you doing? 
Was good up until last night.  It hit me a bit that the dreaded ultrasound is Thursday and I'm so afraid for it to go badly.
When is your next appointment? 
Dating ultrasound Thursday
Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: 
I had some more spotting on Sunday but we had sex twice.  I just keep telling myself that it's because we were acting like teenagers and my lady bits were reminding me I no longer was.
GTKY: What is your favorite season and why? 
Fall.  I grew up on a farm and live in a small rural town.  I've always loved the thrill of harvesting the crops, the smells it creates, getting things done and ready for winter, etc. Now I'll also take pumpkin everything right along with it.  Coffee, muffins, bread, scones, candles, doesn't matter. I'm not picky.

mrlight

@Yailani23 Yay for a good ultrasound!

@JessyKV I’m sorry your ultrasound was rescheduled!

@yolandamunoz I hope your ultrasound goes well today!

@c1tym0m22 I’m sorry you experienced that last night.  Being in limbo is the worst.  It’s good that your hcg levels were fine, though, so maybe it was nothing.

Mashunya425

@brij2006 My dating ultrasound is on Thursday too...I am with you on the anxiety. Hoping all is well with yours!

mkrel

@a2003tiger I'm so sorry you're going through this. It sounds like you'll at least have some answers today and I hope that it's good news. If my morning math is correct, when you went on Thursday you would have only been 5w 1d, right? I am not an expert by any means, but that sounds very early.  Thinking of you today!!

bbbee414

@yolandamunoz good luck today! FX

@c1tym0m22 glad you're feeling better, sorry you had that scare! 

@a2003tiger FX for good news at your appt today;  that's a lot to take in!! Thinking about you today! 

a2003tiger

@MKRLTX, correct on your math. Still very early, so no surprise that there wasn't much visible. But with the free fluid, the low hCG and now to slow to double levels, RE is less than optimistic and is very concerned about ectopic. My HCG was barely over 300 on Thursday. 

Thank you for the well wishes. Sorry to bring the thread down, but I greatly appreciate the love and support. 

DungeonTrollMel

@a2003tiger good luck today 

I'm in the sever anxiety boat today this morning my tests are quite a bit lighter than yesterday's my boobs aren't as swollen or as sore and I'm having weird left side pains on and off. Nothing sharp or severe. My beta isn't until tomorrow and the results take all day then my scan is Thursday morning. I don't know how in going to make it through the next few days 

WorkingOnMyNightCheese

Hi there, after a few good beta draws I feel safe enough to participate now in our BMB. I'm 29, DH is 30, and we live in New England. This is my fourth pregnancy this year, all three prior ended in a loss. Hoping that this is our rainbow! 

How far along are you? 4+6, EDD 6/21 based on O

How are you doing? Feeling pretty okay, I feel way different than my previous pregnancies, which I'm taking as a good sign. Some light cramping here and there, as well as fatigue, but that's it. I've been in therapy since May which was been a god send for my mental health related to my grief. 

When is your next appointment? First ultrasound is next week, 10/25!

Rant/Rave/Positive Vibes: Just feeling fortunate to be pregnant again, and hoping this one sticks. My betas so far have looked great, 100 @14DPO, 285 @16DPO, and 635 @18DPO.

GTKY: Definitely autumn. I love the changing leaves, cool temperatures, and apple treats!

mrlight

@DungeonTrollMel Thinking of you and FX your blood work goes well tomorrow.

JAGinMI

@a2003tiger I am praying for you that you end up with a good outcome. xoxo

JAGinMI

@DungeonTrollMel FX that all is well. Hopefully the next few days fly by somehow.

mkrel

@DungeonTrollMel I'm sorry it hasn't been a good morning. I hope you're able to find some distractions over the next couple of days. Easier said than done, I know...