PGAL Check In Week of 11/8

mileswithmyles

Hi everyone! How is everybody doing this week?

How far along are you?

Any appointments coming up?

Rants/Raves/Questions?

How are you doing? 

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving?

mileswithmyles

How far along are you? 15+2

Any appointments coming up? I see my regular OB tomorrow morning.  On Saturday, we see my uncle for an elective ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby.

Rants/Raves/Questions? Rant- The time change sucks.  I hate how early it is when it gets dark and DS has been on a goofy sleep schedule because of it.  Rave- We have a lot of fun things planned for this weekend and I and looking forward to the extra day off.  Questions- I can't remember, but I am assuming they will at least check for a heartbeat at each appointment, right?  Even if it is just with a doppler?

How are you doing? I have been okay recently.  I am starting to have anxiety about my appointments this week because they are getting closer.  That is pretty normal for me.  I am pretty sure I am feeling flutters at this point and that is reassuring.  I thought I was feeling them two weeks ago and its been happening consistently.  

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving? After!  I feel like Thanksgiving gets the shaft when it comes to holidays because people skip straight from Halloween to Christmas.  I love Christmas stuff, but not until the day after Thanksgiving.  I will, however, shop for Christmas gifts whenever and stash them away. 

christycalifornia

Hi Miles! Just popping in to say I'm stealing your PGAL check in for July. Glad to hear you're okay, and I'll be praying for your anxiousness. I miss you ladies!  :'(

mileswithmyles

@christycalifornia Thank you. Go for it!  I stole ours from another board.  I have been checking July to see how you are doing.  

christycalifornia

@mileswithmyles have my first US today, even though I'm only 6 weeks. Hoping to see a heartbeat but trying to manage expectations. Other than being super nervous, I'm good! Ok, I'll stop hijacking your thread now.

abhphilly

@mileswithmyles Yeah, they'll use a doppler at each appointment, and if for some reason they don't, just ask since it's so quick and easy.

How far along are you?
15w1d

Any appointments coming up?
Next week starts my almost constant appointments. Between weekly shots, monthly regular OB appts, biweekly high risk ultrasounds, and things like the anatomy scan and glucose test, etc., I'll basically live in doctor's offices. 

Rants/Raves/Questions?
Work has been sucking...a lot. But, I'm taking off the whole week of Thanksgiving since my sister and her kids will be in town, so I'm just counting down until then!

How are you doing? 
I have just about zero symptoms at the moment other than some massive boobs, so I'm just generally anxious. Glad I have an appointment on Monday. The good news is that I haven't had any spotting so far in my second trimester, and last pregnancy everything had started going wrong by this point, so I have that on my side. I need to feel some movement soon!

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving?
I won't put out a Christmas tree or stockings or anything before Thanksgiving, but I did turn on the lights around our front windows...mainly because I never took them down from last year.

3littles3angels

How far along are you? 16w1d

Any appointments coming up? Have one tomorrow.

Rants/Raves/Questions? It's been a month since my last appointment after have them every 2 weeks but the nurse made it for a month because after my last appointment I was sent to the hospital to be admitted for dehydration. Luckily doctor told me it would be every 2 weeks again since this last month has been so hard.

How are you doing? Still tired as heck. Been admitted to the hospital 2 times for dehydration already and I'm still getting sick. Ready to feel the baby move but it's gonna be a little longer since the placenta is in the way.

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving? After! I like letting each holiday have it's day before started the next one lol.

MLD912

How far along are you?
11+1

Any appointments coming up?
1st tri screening/ultrasound on 11/21

Rants/Raves/Questions?
Agree DST is the worst. DD has been a wreck since Sunday. 

How are you doing? 
Nausea is almost gone and boobs aren't nearly as sore - happy and nervous at the same time. 

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving?
AFTER! I don't really like Christmas music anyway, and it drives me bonkers before Thanksgiving. No way I can get my ish together to decorate before Thanksgiving!

mileswithmyles

@abhphilly That's a lot of appointments!  I, for one, am not looking forward to the glucose test.  Blech.

@3littles3angels sorry you are still not feeling well.  

@MLD912 DS wants to decorate for Christmas and I'm just trying to find the time to put away all the Halloween stuff.  Oops!

suchaglencoco

@christycalifornia, please update us! 


How far along are you?

12w3d

Any appointments coming up?

Not til the week of Thanksgiving.

Rants/Raves/Questions?

Nothing for now.

How are you doing? 

I'm doing really really well. I am feeling better, still a bit tired, but better. I am feeling more confident in the pregnancy since we went public. 

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving?

Some Christmas music us ok between now and thanksgiving, but I crank it come black Friday. 

We decorate on black Friday. I do inside, DH does the outside, then we do the tree after dinner. We put on Home Alone (DH's favorite Christmas movie and one of his favorite all time movies) while we drink cocoa and hang ornaments. 

I love it. I love the we have a tradition that started with just him and I and we get to add our kids into it.
I actually decorate a bit for Thanksgiving, so it helps keep me from itching to do Christmas. 

mileswithmyles

@suchaglencoco that;s so sweet. We have started using Black Friday to decorate, too.  DS is a holiday maniac and loves to help.  We always get a real tree, so that tends to be a separate day for decorating for us.

cups4

@christycalifornia Hi!!! Hijack away! Please come back after your appointment to let us know!! 
@mileswithmyles you have your sex ultrasound soon, right? I'm excited for you!!
@abhphilly do you like going to the doctor's that much? I would find it oddly reassuring but it may be a bother to you.
@suchaglencoco I love that tradition! We did almost the same when I was little.

How far along are you? 15 weeks tomorrow!

Any appointments coming up? Had one yesterday.  My OB could not find the HB on the doppler and I was weirdly kind of calm, but going to break down if she didn't get the ultrasound machine out.  She did, baby was moving away, which is what she kept saying with the doppler because she kept hearing movement, but she said with baby moving so much she knew everything was perfect.  I went home and immediately busted out the doppler and found her right away and felt better. 

Rants/Raves/Questions? I will have a RCS at 39 weeks.  I am having lots of anxiety about it due to it being the birthday of a family member's child who was placed for adoption and not wanting to cause an issue or correlation with that date.  I brought it up to my OB and she scheduled my RCS right then lol.  It was nice to have my anxiety subside, but I have a birthday scheduled at 15 weeks which is cray.

How are you doing? see appointment above lol

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving? BEFORE.  I don't care much about the music, but I want all the decorations.  I feel it makes Thanksgiving more festive and cozy

abhphilly

@cups4 Judging by how anxious I've gotten in the 4 weeks between my last appointment and now I think I'll like it. Second trimester is the scariest with my history, so regular ultrasounds will hopefully be reassuring.

Glad you were able to see baby girl dancing away!

GeekBeagle

How far along are you? 11+2

Any appointments coming up? Not until 11/27

Rants/Raves/Questions? Rants: Had my thyroid tested again and my levels have gone up, so my meds got increased again. Rave: Told my boss and director this week and they were thrilled because they know what I went through last time. Also told a friend last night that I vented to a lot because she'd previously had a loss and she was super happy as well.

How are you doing? Mostly good. I struggled some mentally when I got my thyroid results back. Just need to keep telling myself that I need to trust my doctor and she is taking the safest approach by increasing dosage slowly instead of making a drastic increase that would definitely put me in the desired range. Sunday night trying to fall asleep and Monday driving to work I had mini panic attacks because I let my mind wander to all kinds of thoughts. I almost threw up on the way to work today, but other than that, not feeling too sick.

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving? After

mileswithmyles

@cups4 Saturday!  I am so impatient!  Your OB sounds amazing.

@GeekBeagle I'm sorry.  Hopefully it will all even out soon.

suchaglencoco

@mileswithmyles, we have to do fake because of my allergies, but I'm not too upset about it. A couple of Thanksgivings ago my grandma gave me fun money. I took it as a sign I needed to get a bigger fake tree, haha. So we have a nice, full, already lit tree.
Some years I hang car tree air freshners from it.

rachelg777

@mileswithmyles +1 to the time change. I like that it is light out when I go to work now but since it's dark when I get home I have not wanted to run this week at all. The rain hasn't helped.
@abhphilly oh my! I hope you live near your OB!
@3littles3angels I'm sorry you are still feeling so crappy.
@cups4 Bless your OB! My OB is also a saint.
@geekbeagle How often does she check your thyroid levels?

How far along are you?
15 weeks today!

Any appointments coming up?
I just got home from one. My OB did another US just for fun. He rocks so hard. I'm glad I made hubby come so he could see! Baby boy was pretty lazy and not moving much, was just kind of rocking back and forth occasionally like he had the hiccups. He said everything structurally looks good so far (without a super in depth look at things), yay! We scheduled our anatomy scan for 12/4.

Rants/Raves/Questions?
Rave: Ultrasound today! Rant: This weather. It is so cold and rainy here I haven't ran this week, boo. Anyone else have an anteverted uterus? Found out mine is today, it's really poked out above my pelvis. As I'm a FTM I had no idea how much pokey outy at this stage is normal. I'm sure pokey outy is the technical term. He said it should straighten up as the pregnancy progresses. 

How are you doing? 
Today I'm great. I haven't told work or all my friends yet, but I'm getting there!

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving?

We usually put ours up the day after Thanksgiving, although I am not opposed to earlier. I'm all about anything festive.

edited for grammar

cups4

@rachelg777 Your OB sounds amazing! So happy you got to see him! At my MFM appointment a few weeks ago baby girl was just chilling too but they pointed out 4 chambers of the heart, stomach, spine, brain, etc. just like what it seems you got to see too since they were calmer then.

@GeekBeagle I'm sorry about your levels. Did your doctor tell you this was the best way? That always makes me feel better and then making them repeat it so my pgal brain feels satisfied.  I'm so happy you are here!

rachelg777

@cups4 You're right, calm is also good! lol. When he pointed out the bladder I was like, cutest pee I've ever seen. I forget, are you 100% with your OB now? Or will you still see the MFM?

cups4

@rachelg777 they co-manage so I see one of them every 2 weeks. Diabetic, so it's a constant upkeep unfortunately,  but I get lots of scans and appointments!!

jhysmath

@mileswithmyles at my 8 week appointment they made me do the glucose test because of my bmi, she handed me the little container of liquid and told me I had 10 minutes to finish drinking it, but the time she turned around to check the time I had chugged the whole thing. MH  made a comment about how I'd be a good drinker if I drank, but I don't. I think they were both proud of how fast it disappeared. 

@abhphilly I'm so glad with my 1.5 hour drive to our doctors office I don't have to go as often, though I think it would easy my anxiety a lot more. 

@cups4 what do you use for a doppler and is it difficult, I'm thinking something like that might ease my anxiety. 


How far along are you? 11w1d

Any appointments coming up? Friday ultrasound with the tech. 

Rants/Raves/Questions? I'm with everyone on day light savings. I want to go to bed at 6 every day, but know I can't. I've been watching hallmark Christmas movies each night to keep me up until 8.

How are you doing? Well it's been almost 3 weeks since I last saw the midwife and 4 weeks since my last ultrasound when the ob said I was measuring a week behind. I was okay until last night, now I'm terrified of going on Friday and finding out bad news. Do these feelings ever go away? I'm not normally a worrying person about things I  can't control so this is causing a lot of anxiety. 

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving? I'm okay with movies, but music and decorations I don't really even do after Thanksgiving. I'm sure that will change with children, and when we celebrate Christmas in the place we live, but as of now I go home to celebrate with my family and her goes home to his family to celebrate (these places are 8 hours apart so we can't do both). 

cups4

@jhysmath I use the sonoline B Doppler. It is not difficult the farther along you are. I can find her every time. Just have to train yourself that it will pick up your heart too and to find baby you will know it's noticeably faster, like almost double.   Im actually impressed that its lasted for 3 years. https://www.babydoppler.com/sonoline-b-fetal-doppler-pink.html?gc=zk85x84v4693&gclid=Cj0KCQiA84rQBRDCARIsAPO8RFxwsiyIEy8xlohZKsn0s17GBzVMV0oTu0vn6SXfWLiFmXTwJKAjU9EaAjJxEALw_wcB

https://www.fetaldoppler.net/sonoline-b-pink.html

rachelg777

@cups4 ah okay! Yes, on the plus side you get extra care and two sets of eyes to make sure things look good!
@jhysmath I don’t know about everyone else but I definitely still have those feelings. I’ll be thinking about you on Friday and be crossing my fingers everything looks good! Keep us updated!

justsuzie

@mileswithmyles I get so anxious before appointments.  Now I do positive intentions that morning before I go to help reduce the anxiety a bit.  It really helps.
@cups4 I always wanna yank the doppler and do it myself.  The extra US is nice though!
abhphilly  I'm glad you are feeling like you are in a better place this time around.  Keep the good vibes going!
@GeekBeagle PG is already stressful enough. PGAL is a whole other level...and then to add a preexisting medical condition is even more stress.  You are going through a lot but it's good you trust the drs.  They want the best possible outcome for you. 
3littles3angels sorry about the constant sickness.  That sounds awful. 
@rachelg777 lucky you with the rad dr and US! I'm jealous.  We haven't told all our friends or work either.  Don't know when the lucky week number is.  We were thinking right before Thanksgiving at 17 weeks?
MLD912 I don't have kids but the DST has been making it hard for evening dog park and my little dog is a nightmare because of it.  It's making me nutty as well.
jhysmath keep us posted on your US. I'll be thinking of you on Friday.  
@suchaglencoco I wish my husband helped with the decorating but he's a grinch.

How far along are you?
15+2
Any appointments coming up?
Nope, had one yesterday.  Just did doppler and got my asthma under control with some extra meds.  

Rants/Raves/Questions?
Rant- My asthma is out of control right now.  And on top of that my allergies were the worst they have ever been this past month.  My therapist thinks the lack of breathing and clogged nose is all adding to my anxiety.  She says that when you breathe through your month sometimes your body interprets that as "panting" and it sends your mind into a flight or fright mentality.  I've been consciously trying to breathe through my mouth when possible  and it is helping the anxiety a bit.

Rave- I went back to the gym and it feels great. I do a faux kickboxing class and water aerobic, the treadmill and elliptical. Feels great. 

How are you doing? 
Okay, better than last week, but I still have room to improve.  My anxiety is somewhat under control but I still check for blood which is strange because my last MC was a mmc and there was no blood.  My next milestone will be that 20 weeks scan

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving?
No way, we barely decorate.

abhphilly

Luckily I work two blocks away from all of my doctors thanks to them being affiliated with the same university, so all the appointments aren’t too much of a hassle.

@justsuzie Glad you’re finding ways to keep the anxiety under control!

rachelg777

@justsuzie I'm so glad you were able to come off pelvic rest! I'm sure that helps relieve a ton of stress. What your therapist said about breathing totally makes sense, I hope the meds work!

GeekBeagle

rachelg777 My thyroid gets tested every 4 weeks.

@cups4 Yes, my endo said gradual increase was the safest way. I haven't actually seen her since getting pregnant; I just go to the lab to give blood and then she just communicates with me via the online portal. Normal range for TSH is 0.2 - 2.5. I've been anywhere between 3.3-3.5 this entire pregnancy. I've been so worried because my OB made a comment after my loss about being concerned about my thyroid levels at that time (4) and how it could have been a contributing factor. I specifically asked my endo if she was worried and she responded with "A TSH of 3 is extremely close to goal and not at all concerning; as a matter of fact, have TOO much thyroid hormone in your system early on in a pregnancy is more likely to cause a loss than a mildly high TSH of 3, so advancing your dose with caution is the best and safest course of action." So reading that over and over does make me feel better, but I still really want to be in the "goal" range because of studies showing neurological damage to the fetus if ranges are too high. I think I just need to stop Googling things. And I'm just disappointed that my number went up this last time instead of down. At least I'm close to 2nd tri and then the normal range bumps up to 3. PGAL brain is the worst.

mileswithmyles

@rachelg777 your OB sounds so awesome!

@jhysmath I find that my feelings come in waves.  Sometimes they are almost non-existent and sometimes they are all consuming.  

@justsuzie yay for the return to the gym!

mileswithmyles

Just had my appointment and heart the heartbeat again on the Doppler. Such a huge relief. 

suchaglencoco

@justsuzie, hooray for the gym! Hopefully it will help you burn off some anxieties. 

thedawkterswife

How far along are you?
12w3d

Any appointments coming up?
Just saw MFM today for my 1st trimester screening. NT measured just fine and the wee one was going bananas in there. So much movement! We tried to sneak a peek at the sex. It those little legs were way in the way! 

Despite me calling a month ago to tell them they needed to submit a pre-auth for the Materni21, they didn't. So now I have to wait 2 more weeks before they can draw that. Grrr. 

Have an appt with my OB next week and anatomy scan is Dec 22nd! 

Rants/Raves/Questions?
Nope. None I can think of this week. 

How are you doing? 
I'm feeling a lot better after today's appointment. We've passed the date when I post our last one so that makes me feel good. And seeing how wonderful the baby looked today made my heart feel happier. Still feeling nervous about "going live" at 20w but excited, too. 
GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving?
Neither! Hannukah all the way, baby!

rumbletumble

I've been missing for a few weeks but I'm happy to see everyone is doing well!

How far along are you? 14w4d

Any appointments coming up? I just had one yesterday.  Everything sounded good...I thought I'd been hearing a lot of movement on my home doppler but wasn't sure, OB was like "oh man, this kid is moving all over the place!" so I guess I have a busy baby in there, can't wait to feel it!

Rants/Raves/Questions? I'm kind of blah...I suppose that's a rant.

How are you doing? Not bad, I was thinking we would wait till Christmas when we know the sex to tell our families (just my mom and dad and best friend know) but I'm thinking maybe Thanksgiving with a cute shirt!  We'll be seeing our closest family members from both sides that night, and I think I'm ready!  

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving? AFTER  AFTER  AFTER  

sbaby2019

@mileswithmyles Exciting about the flutters!! Good luck with your appointment on Saturday! 

@3littles3angels you're 16 weeks already?! I feel so behind haha. 

@cups4 when is your RCS date? 

@justsuzie I find is so hard to breathe!! I can't imagine having asthma too Hope that gets easier/better soon for you! 

How far along are you?
13w5d
Any appointments coming up?
Midwife check in on Dec 7th and next ultrasound isn't until Dec.21st. Both seem so far away!!
Rants/Raves/Questions?
Raves - I ate banana cream pie for dinner lol. Also I think (knock on wood) that my nausea is gone!!
Rants - work. I called in sick twice this week to avoid people and work things haha.
Questions - none at the moment 

How are you doing? 
mentally/emotionally, pretty good! I think investment been so busy with work and other distractions that it's been easier for me to not be anxious. Each day gives me more confidence too. I do wish the congestion would go away though! 

GTKY:  Christmas decorations/music before or after Thanksgiving?
Definitely after. I'm in Canada so we had Thanksgiving in October. I'm very much a "not until December" type of Christmas person... I can be a bit of a Scrooge. Halloween is more my thing. 

Edited for autocorrect 

mileswithmyles

Baby is for sure a girl!  I can’t believe it!  While we were there, my uncle did a ton of measurements and said everything is looking great and right on track, which was a nice extra reassurance. Everyone was really excited and MIL “just knew” LO was a girl and had a pink sleeper wrapped up in her purse. I think she was just really hoping for a girl. There hasn’t been a girl born in DH’s family in 50 years and this is likely her last grandchild, so this was the great white hope. 

My family is also really excited. I’m the only grandchild with kids and they are all so wonderful to DS and are excited to have a girl now.  

rachelg777

@mileswithmyles so exciting! And so nice you can be reassured that everything looks good. What a nice weekend!!

suchaglencoco

@mileswithmyles,  I'm glad it was such a great appointment!!!! And hooray healthy girl.


Afm, I went to the bathroom yesterday and saw 2 small brown spots in my underwear. I immediately panicked and DH had to try and calm me down while also feeding the twins dinner. I don't know how he does it all.
Anyway, I haven't seen anything since, but it pushed me over the edge enough to order a doppler. Thank goodness for Amazon prime!!! I still cannot believe that Buy Buy Baby doesn't have them in stock.