PGAL Check-in w/o 10/9

silvergreen

1. How far along are you?
2. Any appointments coming up?
3. How are you feeling physically?
4. How are you feeling emotionally?
5. Questions?
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why?

chocomom2

1. How far along are you? Six weeks today! 
2. Any appointments coming up? Another blood test to check HCG on Thursday 
3. How are you feeling physically? Horrible all weekend but good today
4. How are you feeling emotionally? Up and down. I have a therapy appt tomorrow which I am excited about to work through some stuff
5. Questions? Is it weird that I have thresholds that make me feel better? Like six weeks feels better to me but I know hearing the heartbeat is going to make me feel even better.
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? The power to go back in time so I can essentially be in two places at once (think Hermione in Prisoner of Azkaban)

bkrahn

1. 5w 6d

2. Starting another round of betas tomorrow. 

3. The nausea has been kicking up a notch these past few days, and mostly comes with hunger. Stretching cramps are still a thing and always scare the heck out of me.  

4. Honestly, these past few days have been so so hard. I think because of my upcoming betas.. both of my last two pregnancies never made it past this point, so I feel like everything is riding on these two betas going well. I've also been overthinking every little thing and find that I am too scared to do anything most days, so I've been doing a lot of resting & watching tv. I'm just so scared of overdoing things & overworking my body. 

5. None at the moment 

6. I think time travel would be nice, only to relive really amazing memories & moments. 

silvergreen

1. 5+4
2. 10/19
3. So far, so good. No nausea, just food aversions. Sore nipples. Full/tingly pelvic sensations.
4. Highly anxious. I got my blood results back finally; HCG looks awesome and is increasing nicely, but progesterone is only 11.2 even after four days of supplementing (originally 11). I am currently supplementing 200mg orally once a night and I'm questioning whether this is enough. The nurse on the phone said progesterone levels over 4 is "pregnant" but the American Pregnancy Association tells me: "They can range from 9-47ng/ml in the first trimester, with an average of 12-20ng/ml in the first 5-6 weeks of pregnancy." She said that it's good my progesterone is going in the right direction and is getting me to go for another blood draw this Friday.
5. Anyone out there with a low progesterone diagnosis and a positive outcome? Am I overanalyzing here?
6. I've always thought it would be awesome to shapeshift. I have an affinity for animals, especially big cats.

kbrown2385

1. How far along are you? 5 weeks 4 days
2. Any appointments coming up? First appt is 10/16. One more week!
3. How are you feeling physically? Feeling good. No symptoms except being tired and some cramping. I made it to the my today for the first time in 2 weeks since they were renovating. Feeling good, but can definitely tell I need to slow down a little.
4. How are you feeling emotionally? Since doing the hcg checks last week, I am feeling more secure. I know my numbers are climbing, we made it past the last pregnancy we lost, I'm feeling positive, but still taking it day by day. 
5. Questions? None at the moment
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? I think being able to teleport. If I could go anywhere at any given moment, without having to spend time traveling! I love going places, I hate taking the time to go. Like if I wanted to go visit my family, it's a two day trip. I could do without all that. 

silvergreen

@chocomom2 Right there with you on the thresholds! I'm anxious for my first scan, as the last one that ended in MMC was measuring over a week behind. Hoping this time around will be right on track.

@bkrahn Totally there with you too! I just mentioned on another thread how I'm too anxious to do a lot of activities. Hoping this will pass if I can make it through the first tri.

doxiemoxie212

1. How far along are you? 6+2
2. Any appointments coming up? First appt on 10/25 but I really want to email my doc and beg to be seen at 6+6 before we go to ca. DH said I'm being nuts tho. 
3. How are you feeling physically? Fine 
4. How are you feeling emotionally? Mostly fine 
5. Questions? No 
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? I want the like, what's her name in xmen? Where she's professor x but can move things with her mind too? ...Jane? Phoenix? :-/

bkrahn

@silvergreen glad to know I'm not the only one feeling this way   

doxiemoxie212

@bkrahn I haven't banged DH since I ovulated lol. I also effed up my wrist so that's partially why I haven't been exercising, but I know there's also a paranoid voice in the back of my head encouraging me to be a couch potato. 

PatientlyWaiting10

1. How far along are you? 5+6
2. Any appointments coming up? Just had a draw to check progesterone levels, otherwise my next appt isn't until 10/19
3. How are you feeling physically? Pretty good overall.  I was pretty crampy yesterday but pooped this morning and that has seemed to help.
4. How are you feeling emotionally? Good.  Seeing the ultrasound on Friday and the doctor saying he maybe even saw a slight flicker has calmed some anxieties!  
5. Questions? none at the moment
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? I like the idea of time travel and teleporting!!  

@silvergreen My doctor would probably consider that borderline low; especially with supplementing.  I am on 100 mg twice daily currently, and depending on what my labs say today, it may or may not increase.  Last week my first progesterone draw was 17 and the repeat was 16 so he got me going on it.  With our losses, they didn't check my progesterone so I don't know if that was the "cause"  but I was on it with our last pregnancy, DS, and it was successful.  I'm not sure if there are downfalls to having too much progesterone if your doctor were to increase your dosage, that'd be a question for a doctor.  I'm glad you heard back finally from your doctor though AND i'm glad that your progesterone increased; that's good!

@chocomom2    No, thresholds are a good point to get to, I think!  Like setting small goals to conquer is better than just setting one huge one to get to.  Know what I mean?  I completely get where you're coming from on those milestones!  9 weeks is probably the biggest one for me.  

@kbrown2385 That's great you're feeling good!!  It's such a day by day thing, but glad that today is a good one!!  

silvergreen

@PatientlyWaiting10 Ugh, I'm just so anxious about it. I called the other OB/GYN that I had check me out for a second opinion, and the CRNP that saw me isn't in until Wednesday. But the lady on the phone was super nice and said she would put in a high priority message to her. She said to keep doing what I'm doing so I'm really trying to not freak out since I know it won't help the situation. She also said the good thing is that it's going up. Just praying it's enough.

tammy574

1. How far along are you? 4+5 
2. Any appointments coming up? They said they would do a scan at 6 weeks but they haven’t called me back with the appointment time yet. 
3. How are you feeling physically? Already feeling nauseous? I totally did not feel sick until 6/7 weeks with my others so I’m not sure what’s going on. But my stomach feels rotten. 
4. How are you feeling emotionally? I’m feeling very detached and aloof and trying not to plan on anything either way. Although as the days go by it’s harder not to plan. Ive had this epic plan for telling my kids since before ttc with first loss so it’s getting harder not to think about and plan that. I dreamed last night that I had another loss (in detail) so my mind is definitely messing around when I can’t control it. 
5. Questions? No 
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? To have my house be perpetually clean and picked up and remodeled inside and out at the snap of my fingers. (Can this be a super power? Am I way off?) I HATE processes. And the partially cleaned up, partially redone life constantly is my undoing. 

bkrahn

@tammy574 I'm so sorry about your bad dream I hope you feel better! I keep getting flashback feelings of our first loss, and it leaves me feeling so uneasy. Just trying to keep my mind off of it as much as I possibly can 

PatientlyWaiting10

@silvergreen Hang in there girl. 
@tammy574 Ugh, those kinds of dreams are the worst!!  And I love your idea for a superpower!  I want that one too!! 

silvergreen

I called back the first OB/GYN nurse Eileen and asked if I could push my blood draw back to Thursday so I would have the results on Friday, lol. She insisted that she thinks my numbers look good and that she feels really confident about this pregnancy. She explained that progesterone rises a lot slower so encouraged me to stay with Friday as my draw date. She also told me to stay off Google. I really hope she's right.

bitzyg

1. How far along are you? 5w
2. Any appointments coming up? Ultrasound next week
3. How are you feeling physically? Cramping today 
4. How are you feeling emotionally? Nervous about these cramps!
5. Questions? Wish I could ask questions to my future self to find out how this pregnancy will go! This PGAL is so hard.
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? A crystal ball would be fabulous

bitzyg

@silvergreen I am also on progesterone. It’s so hard to know what causes what in a pregnancy. In my last pregnancy, I was given the same dose as you, orally, and my levels increased by 2. This time around and with a different doctor, i was given the same dosage, but instructed to take it suppository vaginal style. My progesterone went up this time by quite a bit. I have no proof or story to say if the difference in how I take it is better or not, as I surely don’t know how this pregnancy is going at this stage in the game, but I figured I’d mention it. Fingers crossed for you and everyone in this thread. This is hard, and every other emotion a person could name!

BurlapandLace

@chocomom2 ~ Nope. I think having certain thresholds make you feel a bit more comfortable is definitely normal. 

@bkrahn ~ FX your next betas go well 

@silvergreen ~ I am sorry your progesterone levels are giving you anxiety. FX you have more answers after your next draw on Friday. 

@kbrown2385 ~ I have yet to make it to the gym in the last just over two weeks. Hoping I can make it tomorrow and that I won’t regret taking so much time off. Good job on listening to your body about slowing down though! 

@doxiemoxie212 ~ I don’t think it’s unreasonable to want to be seen before your trip. Especially since you plan on telling your mom on that trip. 

@PatientlyWaiting10 ~ I’m glad your ultrasound went well! 

@bitzyg ~ Hopefully it’s just normal uterine stretching cramps. 

1. How far along are you? 4w6d 
2. Any appointments coming up? Waiting for the doctor to call me today to figure out what she wants my next step to be 
3. How are you feeling physically? Mostly normal. Sore boobs, tired, hungry but nothing sounds good. 
4. How are you feeling emotionally? I’m feeling a bit better today and a little less stressed since I just got my beta results back. My draw on Thursday (16dpo/also my loss mark from my CP) was 1349. Saturday (18dpo and exactly 49 hours after the first draw) was 3834. 
5. Questions? None today 
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? I want to be able to control things like Matilda! Haha. Dishes that do themselves! Who’s with me? 

doxiemoxie212

@BurlapandLace those are great numbers! And also very high, right? At 17 DPO and 19 DPO mine were 444 and 964, and I thought those were high. 

napqueen

doxiemoxie212 said:

GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? I want the like, what's her name in xmen? Where she's professor x but can move things with her mind too? ...Jane? Phoenix? :-/

I think that’s Jean? 

PatientlyWaiting10

@BurlapandLace and @doxiemoxie212  those are good numbers!  Betas are so hard to judge because we're all so different!  All of my pregnancies have been so different!  With DS they were 739 about 16 DPO.  This time around my first draw 16 DPO was 2818!  Doubling time was 5 days which had me worried a first but after the positive u/s I'm doing alright.  The nurse on Friday did mention twins, DH was not too happy about that.  :P  

BurlapandLace

doxiemoxie212 said:

@BurlapandLace those are great numbers! And also very high, right? At 17 DPO and 19 DPO mine were 444 and 964, and I thought those were high. 

I honestly hadn’t put any thought into whether or not they are high. I was just looking at the doubling rate, which seems great so far. After a little Googling, it’s looks like they are on the higher end. I’m just glad they seem to be headed in the right direction so far. I know I’m not in the clear yet by any means, but it was great to see great numbers! 

BurlapandLace

@PatientlyWaiting10 ~ I’ve heard high HCG numbers can’t predict twins. Can they? Oh snap. Now I’m going to have anxiety about that! Haha! 

napqueen

1. How far along are you? 6 weeks, one day
2. Any appointments coming up? Ultrasound this Thursday! 
3. How are you feeling physically? Tired. & Hungry but everything tastes like it’s been soaked in pennies 
4. How are you feeling emotionally? Good at this point! I found out about my loss at 6 weeks last time, passing that point felt great.
5. Questions? None at the moment
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? I’d love to have the power to create choreographed musical numbers at the drop of a hat, basically making my life a musical. Because, why not?

doxiemoxie212

@BurlapandLace @PatientlyWaiting10 there are so many variables for HCG. DPO of implantation, resting HCG rate, doubling rate, etc. I think you can have a non-pregnant HCG rate of as low as 5? So if you start at 5 and implant early, you can get super high really quickly. But lol yeah, multiples are also an option. 

BurlapandLace

@doxiemoxie212 ~ that could be it. I had my draw done on 9/8 and then the CP started on 9/9. My level in that test was 8.8. So my first draw this time was on 10/5. Maybe my level never went all the way back down to begin with so I started with a higher number. Who knows. 

Like I said. I’m just glad to see my numbers almost tripling at this point. Interested to see what my doctor wants the next step to be. I’m hoping she wants me to come in for an ultrasound sooner rather than later. 

silvergreen

@bitzyg Thanks for sharing! I did have it in my mind to try it vaginally - or even alternate every other night vaginally and orally. I don't know if this can mess with the numbers going up and down since they say the absorption rate differs, so that's my only hesitation.

Dashaina

1. How far along are you?  6w 3d
2. Any appointments coming up? No
3. How are you feeling physically? Tired. 
4. How are you feeling emotionally? Last night was rough after I ended up down the rabbit hole of missed miscarriages. I didn't know that's what they were called. I didn't know that's what I had 2 years ago and then I read all about them, big mistake. Now I'm a total anxious mess internally and I can't stop thinking about what if that's happening again.. Like how would I even know unless I got an ultrasound and then to get one is such a flipping pain in the ass all day of traveling affair..and I really don't want to go through it again to find out the same thing as the last one. I seriously need to stop looking shit up. I miss the unknowing bliss of pre loss pregnancy. I am waiting impatiently for the day I can use my doppler successfully (I didn't have one the last time and now I do). Fortunately last night I had a dream that all was well (I was having a futuristic u/s) except my baby had 4 umbilical cords. But the nurse told me that was a normal mutation and they would meld into one soon. But all the other baby measurements were spot on. Oddly enough the dream made me feel better overall. 
5. Questions? Not at the moment. 
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? Time travel or telekinesis. 

kbrown2385

@BurlapandLace not going to lie, I'm exhausted. I managed to walk 2 miles on the treadmill and lift some weights. I've been laying on the couch since I got home. I'm thinking bedtime will be once I can get my 2 year old down for the night.

twelvetwosomeonenew

@doxiemoxie212 yep, that's jean grey aka Phoenix:) 

1. How far along are you? 5+3
2. Any appointments coming up? Mooooooore blood
3. How are you feeling physically? My boobs are killing me. Otherwise, I'm doing pretty well.
4. How are you feeling emotionally? Trying to be upbeat that my hcg is doubling (right at the 38bhour mark) but they are still low for 5 weeks. Friday it was at a 261. Sooo, I'm kind of freaking out. Blood drawn again tomorrow. Hopefully these numbers bump right past my kids mark from the last MC & then I can just cross my fingers that all goes well for a couple more months. 
5. Questions? Can we pleas fast forward to next month?!?! I just want to know what we have going on. 
6. GTKY: If you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be and why? I want to teleport. So much time spent traveling for work and errands (and vacation time wasted!). 

icecubeinthedesert

Why are we starting all of these threads (TTGP check-in too) on Monday? Don't we have a daily schedule on the board organization thread? Pointing it out because it's difficult to keep up.

@chocomom2, if you don't mind me asking, how long have you been going to therapy? Is it mostly for loss stuff? I'm asking because I've been thinking about going to therapy myself, but just haven't gotten the nerve to start finding someone.

@BurlapandLace, those numbers look great!

@kbrown2385, @patientlywaiting10, and @twelvetwosomeonenew, like minds on the GTKY. High five!

@dashaina, girl, it sounds like you need to step away from google! I'm seriously going to have to follow my own advice here as well, as my last pregnancy was just a black hole of anxiety and constant google searching.

How far along are you? 3+5
Any appointments coming up? Two weeks from today (10/23) at ~6w
How are you feeling physically? Pretty good. Sore boobs and having to pee constantly (and have woken up the last two nights because of it, which is really unusual for me when I'm not KU). 
How are you feeling emotionally? OK if I keep moving. After I woke up at 2am this morning, my mind spiraled out of control with anxiety. I need to get in a better habit of recognizing that before I'm up for 2-3 hours like last night and get a book out to read (I just use my Kindle app on my phone so I don't wake up DH). That helps get my mind of things and helps make me sleepy again. I'm also just not feeling joining into all the discussions about baby stuff, and won't be until I make it to 2nd tri. I feel like I'm missing out on a lot of good info though.
Questions? What are your doctors' thoughts on progesterone? I was put on suppositories after my second loss, but they caused me some pretty severe depression, which seems to be an uncommmon side effect. I think since my two losses have occurred later (growth stopped at 6w and 8w) and didn't start naturally until 4 weeks later in both cases, progesterone is not really my issue, but was just prescribed "just in case." Are all of you on it because of LPD, early MCs, or low progesterone tests at first exam?
GTKY: Teleportation. I spend way too much of my day commuting.

bkrahn

@Dashaina oh, girl I know exacttttly what you're going through. My first loss was a missed miscarriage, but I had to basically google to discover that as well because my doctor was very vague with any information he gave me after they confirmed it with an ultrasound. That is mainly why my anxiety is so high with this pregnancy too.. with my mmc, I had all the normal pregnancy symptoms up until 10 weeks, and then they disappeared. In my head I was like, great! Maybe my morning sickness will be short lived this pregnancy! Then at 12 weeks I started spotting. It was definitely a confusing time, and I still feel like I don't fully know what exactly happened as they didn't let me see the ultrasound screen. I want to convince myself that the fact that my boobs still hurt & I still have nausea is a good thing.. but I know that symptoms don't always mean that everything is going well either and that is just messing with my mind! I've been really trying to stay away from google though, and that seems to be helping.. i have a few verses/quotes that I find comforting, so whenever I get especially anxious I just repeat them to myself and really try to believe them. Creepy internet hugs to you!

doxiemoxie212

@icecubeinthedesert I think because previously there were so few of us but I agree moving forward we should stick to the schedule. 

krash_

@icecubeinthedesert and @doxiemoxie212 I’ll admit I got a little excited about there being so many new TTGP grads and started the check in before realizing it is a Thursday thread. I agree going forward it will be more manageable to follow the schedule. 

ETA: wrong tag

bitzyg

@icecubeinthedesert we are giving the progesterone suppositories a try because my levels tested low at first blood draw, and I’ve had repeated miscarriages. From what I understand, it’s very much the egg or the chicken question for many. Is progesterone low because of a viability issue, or is viability a problem because the progesterone is low. I got my blood drawn at what I believe was 11 days post ovulation. It was SO early in the pregnancy. My HCG was 15, and progesterone 8.2. I think we all thought I would miscarry, but when I did the next blood draw 4 days later (because it was the weekend), HCG was 202, and progesterone 28. That’s my story. Time will tell, and I don’t know if we will ever have a true answer to whether the progesterone is crucial or not in my case. All I know is that I’m not messing with it at the moment!

catlady1215

damnit, I don't know where I belong! I don't like coming on and talking happily... when I feel so down. and don't want to keep talking negative stuff here.

but just an update on me. for anyone that didn't see my one post, my symptoms all really dropped this weekend and I was crampy. and still no sick symptoms anymore. which isn't abnormal for 6.5 wks.. but when you felt so bad then they stopped? that's a concern to me. its happened before to me.

anyway, begged for something yesterday. they reluctantly sent me for a beta check. just one. wtf is one going to show you? anyway, dr called today like 'your number went up. I'm not going to worry, if you're going to worry, i'll have to let you worry. but I'm not worried'. well yah they went up! my last draw was at 4+6! and this all didn't change till 6+1! (3k to 54k) she's not even sending me for another draw to see which way they're going NOW. told me to just keep my apt for 10/19. I'm so angry. I pray I'm wrong, but a woman knows her body when she's been through a lot in a year.

PatientlyWaiting10

@catlady1215  I'm sorry...(((hugs)))  Hang in there.  Is there anyway you can demand it (more than you already have I'm sure)?  Just for peace of mind!  It's good they're rising, but it'd still be nice if they listened and asked.  It's not that much work to get one blood draw to test for you.  I agree, a woman gets real good at knowing her body, especially after going through so much.  

catlady1215

@patientlywaiting10 I don't know how else to demand. for someone that was so on top of things the past few weeks for me, I don't know why she's not just humoring me here. I think what bothers me most is if I found out now, we could do a d&c to test this one also. now I risk it just happening on its own and it'll be to late.

... see, I just don't feel right talking like this on here. I'm sorry ladies!

silvergreen

@icecubeinthedesert Apologies; that was my oversight. 

@catlady1215 I would seek a second opinion and voice your concern over the phone. I'm currently between two OB/GYN offices after seeking a second opinion for some discomfort down there. Yesterday I had some concerns with my progesterone levels, so I followed up with the second OB/GYN. They're both so busy that I never get to speak to the doctor, but they both have nurse practitioners that are very helpful. Hearing them both tell me the same thing helped lessen my anxiety.

PatientlyWaiting10

@catlady1215  No need to apologize!!  You have to voice your concerns and vent to someone! Please don't feel bad doing that!  I agree with @silvergreen .  A second opinion is a great idea!  

bkrahn

@catlady1215 don't feel bad! I feel like that's why this board is here..? Obviously we've all been through tough times, and are here to support you! You need to be able to vent somewhere! I agree with above, try to demand a second opinion. My doctor seemed satisfied after one round of betas at 4 weeks.. but I demanded another round. It's your body, you should be in charge. Like you said, you know your body. If something feels off, then you should be able to demand another test, even just for some peace of mind.