2nd trimester check in - Week of Jan 1

helloworld9

Happy new year! And what a joyous year 2018 brings for all of us!

Mommies to be:

@amanning2011 EDD 3/25 TWINS! G/G

@dreamcometrue2017 EDD 3/31 BOY!

@MMD1986 EDD 4/2 

@cashewchicken EDD 4/11 BOY!

@rel_1987 EDD 4/21 BOY!

@Prayingfor2 EDD 4/22 

@Meredithj123 EDD 4/24 

@nmtay EDD 4/27 TWINS! B/G

@helloworld9 EDD 5/5 BOY!

@ReesaAnne16 EDD 5/15

@Hopeful_mom EDD 6/6 

@FuzzyDust EDD 6/8 BOY!

@Holls214 EDD 6/14 BOY!

@TravelingCouple EDD 6/19

@mtpbadger EDD 7/4?

helloworld9

I hope everyone had a wonderful start to the new year!

I'm 22w this week and the bump is getting more and more noticeable! It's so cold too, I'm freezing all the time.

Holls214

I’m also freezing all the time. So hard to get warm. TMI- anyone else have an itchy vag? I had to go buy some vagisil. Never had anything like this happen before so I’m unsure if it’s normal... 
Hope everyone had a great New Years! We just stayed home. Super exciting. 

MMD1986

Good morning and Happy New Year's everyone!

I'm 27 weeks and 1 day today, so in my last week of the second trimester. Looking forward to the last trimester and getting closer to meeting our little baby. 

No appointments or updates this week. 

@helloworld9 and @holls214 I hear you on being cold. Woke up to 21 degrees here this morning, which is super cold for Louisiana. I'm layering up before leaving the house for work. 

dreamcometrue2017

Happy New year ladies.

hope everyone had a good holiday.  I dont really have anything new to update since i wont be having another ultrasound for a while yet.  They told me that since everything was going well so far and the placena moved away from the cervix already that i wont need an ultrasound at 32 weeks and could wait a little longer.  The only reason they were going to do it sooner was to check that out.  As long as i can feel him move as offen as he does and my regular ob check ups are good, im ok with waiting.  Everytime hubby and i look at my bump now we cant imagine how much bigger it will stretch! Im all belly right now and hoping ill stay that way.  Ive been lathering on the lotions and anti stretchmark creams morning and night.  

I have to say, besides feeling the baby move, my favorite moments have been when hubby just touches my bump or puts head on my belly and kisses all over it.  Its so cute to see it, especially when he starts talking to the little guy.  A few days ago we saw an old co-worker who didnt know we were pregnant and hubby just had a huge smile on his face and pulled my coat apart to show off the bump.  It was adorable. He bought me a bunch of cute maternity clothes for christmas that really show off the bump. He thinks its pretty sexy when i get dressed up in a fitted dress with heels. I actually feel really good about myself too! 

I hope everyone continues to do well!

Hopeful_mom

Happy New year everyone!  So excited 2018 is here it's such an exciting year!! I'm not super religious but something I wanted to share as our bundles are coming in 2018 !



@Holls214  so glad u brought up ur vag as mine is bothering me as well, WTH with us!! TMI I wax I'm super sensitive and that helps keep me in check BUT I haven't since before the transfer so I'm wondering if that's the issue. It's quite tender! Granted I'm finally drinking more water and peeing all the time...I just can't!  

@MMD1986 I can't believe ur 3rd tri next week that's crazy!!  I can't wait for it!!

AFM:  I'll be 18wks tomorrow which is exciting! And even though I haven't been eating that much I gained 10lbs overnight not sure how that happened!
Heres my main stresser at the moment. My next appt was suppose to be this Wednesday Jan 3 and now got changed to fri Jan 5th.  Which of course I'm Nervous about!! My Miscarriage was the same Friday last year.  I might change the appt.  I hate that I think about it but it's hard not to.  Wish it was February already....January was just the worst for me! And now with this new vag issue I really don't want to change the appt.

TravelingCouple

Hi ladies! I'm new to this board but was a reg on TTGP while we were TTC. A little about me...I have a 3 year old DS who took us a little while to get pregnant with, but less than a year so we never ended up getting any testing. We started TTC #2 in Nov 2015 and went for testing in Dec 2016 when nothing has happened by then. We were diagnosed "unexplained." Two rounds of failed Letrozole treatment and two failed IUIs later, DH and I decided to stop treatment for many reasons, no insurance coverage and mental health being top two. We explored adoption but every door was shut. This past Oct we got a BFP and it's been quite a surprise, an exciting one of course, and an adjustment to adjust from energy from getting pregnant to being pregnant.

So now I'm 16 weeks with baby#2 and it's definitely feeling real now! We announced this past weekend so that helped seal the deal in it feeling real. I'm excited to be here and share with other ladies who understand, and who get it.

My EDD is June 19

@Holls214 I can say that I'm definitely more itchy in general. Not in the vag region, but my boobs, thighs and butt area.. Basically everything that's stretching haha! Lotion helps so I'm sure the dry air is making it worse. I know during pregnancy we're more susceptible to vaginal infections bc your immune system is lowered, so if you have any other symptoms it might be worth a mention to doc?

Holls214

@TravelingCouple how exciting!! So happy you got your BFP naturally. No other symptoms as itchy down there, maybe because I pee so much. The Vagisil is helping though thankfully. We are 17 weeks tomorrow, so just about the same as you. I think I remember your name from the June boards. I can't keep up with them over there....
@Hopeful_mom I ave gained 8 pounds now too. I think it is all belly, but I feel like I am getting bigger everywhere except my boobs haven't grown that much (wish they would haha). I would keep the appointment. Thinking of you though, I know how had that can be. 

Hopeful_mom

@TravelingCouple welcome!! How fantastic is that congrats!!! The struggle is real and how nice to experience a miracle!! I still can't bring myself to announce yet glad u were able to!
@Holls214 it's so crazy I was just thinking that going to the bathroom is causing my issue but I just feel like how!!!  I'm not digging for gold when I wipe it's so nutty!!!
Funny u mention boobs I don't feel like mine have gotten any bigger yet either.  I guess time will tell however I feel like the band is a Lil tighter will probably look into getting the extra band for it and see if that helps. 

Holls214

@Hopeful_mom I agree that the band is getting tighter, just not growing that much. Haha not digging for gold. I agree. The joys I swear...

TravelingCouple

@Holls214 Yep I'm June too! The BMB will slow down a lot around third trimester. There are a ton of people who come and then disappear, it tapers off to a small group later on. 

Thanks @Hopeful_mom, I hope your appt can be changed. Miscarriage anniversaries are awful, I understand that. ♥️

cashewchicken

I’m 26 weeks pregnant this week. Got sick last week and I’m finally feeling much better. Still doesn’t feel 100% well, but getting there. I took this week off work and spending time with my family. So nice to be pampered by my parents and my sis. And no need to cook dinner.

This winter is cold (though I shouldn’t complain much since I’m in California) and dry. My skin is itchy and flaky and I must be scratching in my sleep because I’m covered in scabs. I have managed to accumulate quite a few bottles of body lotion over the years and now is the time to use them up!

@TravelingCouple Congrats and welcome!

Prayingfor2

Hey Ladies!!! Hope pregnancy is fairing well for you and you’re enjoying a fresh new year to make memories! 

24 weeks here with baby girl and all feels well and “normal!”

I have scheduled my repeat U/S at MFM on Jan 31. Part of me feels this is a pointless appt but an oppprtunity to see her on the screen again! We move to a new duty station the following week. And with the third trimester comes two week appts? Yikes! It’s flying by!

Next appt with OB has been moved to Jan 19 (insert eye roll.) They moved my appt from Dec 29 to Jan 5 and now another two weeks because of Friday trainings.  My last OB appt was at 17 weeks. This cannot be normal. I feel like now is the time I should be having my glucose test done. And my sugar levels have been everywhere! Still losing weight on the scale but my stomach is growing. It’s so odd. I told my husband to buy a new scale. 

Prayingfor2

Congratulations @TravelingCouple!! 

BFPs are always welcome after long journeys and even more exciting when they are a surprise! 

We have unexplained MFI so we used a donor and an IUI. My husband is attached 100% to this growing child and for that I am forever thankful. We were discussing birth control options for after she is born and he looked at me and laughed. I guess I have hope that a miracle child is possible but I know I wouldn’t be able to handle a surprise too soon. 

TravelingCouple

@cashewchicken glad it's not just me, I was up until midnight itching my back, legs, arms, everywhere! Finally I jumped in the shower at midnight and that helped me fall asleep. Googling of course freaked me out and now I'm scared it's cholestasis. I'll be bringing it up to my doc next week or calling today if it doesn't get better

mtpbadger

Hello ladies! I guess I'm moving over here now! 14weeks today and I'm still in disbelief! We were actually moving forward with using a gestational carrier after several failed (and several canceled) FETs due to crappy lining and wanted to try one more time and it worked! We still haven't contacted our agency/attorney to stop everything as I don't want to jinx anything. I know, it's totally irrational! I have an OB appointment next Monday, but I don't think I'll get an US, just get to hear the heartbeat, which I think I'll be fine with!

We told all of our family over the past few weeks and will start telling friends as we see them so things are starting to finally feel real. I'm waiting to tell work as I am in the process of arguing my end of year review from 2017 and am hoping that's all resolved by the end of the month and then can tell my boss. 

@hopeful_mom and @Holls214 my boobs are the only thing that have noticeably grown so far and have had to get a new bra already. DH is not complaining at all! LOL

MMD1986

That's so exciting @mtpbadger and @TravelingCouple! I love a surprise BFP for anyone dealing with infertility.  Happy for you both!

helloworld9

@TravelingCouple and @mtpbadger Welcome! I added you to the list up top! So glad you are here.

ReesaAnne16

Hi everyone, I intro'd here when I was in my first trimester, but then took a break for a while.
I'd like to jump back in!

I'm 21 weeks (EDD May 15th) and we have our anatomy scan TODAY! 
I'm very nervous about finding out if it's a boy or girl; I'm worried I will have pretty bad gender disappointment if it's a boy. Isn't that horrible?? Here I am with a miracle pregnancy, after over 2 years TTC, 6 failed IUI's and 2 rounds of IVF... and then to be disappointed if it's a boy? I feel like a horrible person, but it's a really feeling inside of me, and I've had visions and dreams of having a girl for years so I just don't know how I'm going to feel if it's a boy. (We even have a girls name picked, but I have no idea for a boy).
This is why I want to find out now and not wait, so I have a few months to readjust my attitude before the baby arrives.
Does anyone else feel gender disappointment? Or worried they will?  

TravelingCouple

@ReesaAnne16 I think it's totally ok to recognize how you feel and let yourself feel it. Even though you worked your butt off to get to where you are now, it doesn't mean you can't still have feelings one way or another. When I was pregnant with my DS, I was so totally convinced he was a girl. You couldn't tell me otherwise because, in my soul, it was a girl. When they told me it was a boy at our A/S I definitely had feelings of disappointment. I'd built it up so much in my mind that it was hard not to. Once it sunk in, I became so elated over having a boy and now I cannot imagine my life without him. I LOVE being a boy mom. Give yourself grace to be disappointed, but don't worry, whether it's a boy or girl, your LO will worm their way into your heart and soul either way! 

This time around, I refuse to think one way or another, and I really don't have an inkling either way. But I'm so excited to find out! I'm hoping sometime this month... GL today, let us know! 

Hopeful_mom

@ReesaAnne16 hey chica welcome back, I've been thinking about you!! I thought u already had your scan, good luck mama!!! I'm with you all the way!!! I also did pgs and that's probably why I did so many cycles before transfer too.  I MC a girl for sure the other twin we weren't sure.  My first ivf after were all abnormal girls and I was devastated...so I get it!! Going through this I really wanted both but always thought I would have a girl.  Jury is still out but I'm totally get it.

i have a billing BW AMA question, for the ones who did the extra testing for downs etc, did ur insurance cover it?  Got a bill for $900 and my insurance doesn't cover all of it did you have to cover the rest? It's says providers responsibility but I feel like we sign our life away at these appointments saying you'll pay it.  Every step is a fortune I just can't!! Yes thrilled to be on this side but come on.

hope everyone is staying warm on the east coast lots of snow out there!!

mtpbadger

@hopeful_mom my insurance covered all first trimester testing (NT scan and blood work a second well as the NIPs blood work). We only did the NT scan but if we had done all of it, it would have been covered. I do know that somebody insurance won’t cover it though. 

nmtay

@Holls214 I would get checked for a yeast infection or uti at your next appt, just in case. It may be normal, but being more susceptible to infection is real!

@cashewchicken in response to last week I'm doing WAY better! Turns out we got strep in addition to our colds, so once we were finally able to go to the doctor and get drugs things were much better!

I'm 24+1 today and so happy to have made this milestone! Next appt tomorrow, ultrasound with MFM next week, and my mum just started planning my baby shower so I'm excited that things are finally coming together! I am starting to get anxious about being ready in time cause my boss's daughter had her twins at 28 wks! Hopefully that doesn't happen, but I feel like personally knowing someone who delivered that early is freaking me out a bit. I just keep reminding myself that I'm far enough along that I'll really only need about a week after the shower to get ready, so I just need to be patient until then. Also recently SAW kicks for the first time from the outside! I think I've seen both of them kick but it's kinda hard to tell without knowing better how they're positioned. Just so grateful that 2018 will be better than 2017!

rel_1987

Happy New Years ladies!!! 24wk5days with a boy. Nothing much happening at all besides my bump has suddenly popped and its starting to hurt to bend over. Have a ultrasound on the 8th. Excited to be closer to thr 3rd trimester.

rainbows2018

Not sure if I’m lurking or belong here yet. I’m pregnant with my second - 13 weeks yesterday. We haven’t told anyone except DH’s and my parents. I’m still extremely exhausted and have nausea in the AM. I can’t tell if the bump is a bump or still a bloat but I had to switch to maternity clothes as of this week. 

helloworld9

@Hopeful_mom Btw I love that quote! So inspirational and I hope 2018 is a blessed year for us all.

@ReesaAnne16 Hello! So wonderful to see you here. I remember you from the IF boards. So is it a girl or boy?

@Holls214 I can't say I have an itchy vag... but I have completely let it go landscaping wise and am just resigned to it.

@MMD1986 So exciting you are in your last stretch! I feel like in the third trimester you know that things will more than likely turn out ok!

@dreamcometrue2017 That is super cute what your hubby does! There are moments my husband does that to me too, touching the bump and saying things about the baby.

@cashewchicken My hands are so dry. I'm constantly rubbing lotion into them. Worst part about winter for sure. Dry skin!

@Prayingfor2 Ugh that is so annoying having appointments pushed out all the time! I think the 1 hr glucose test is done anytime between 24-28w? I was not told I would be doing one for my appointment next week when I will be 24w.

@nmtay I know at 28w viability is really high, but I hear you on wanting to have a term baby than a preemie.

@rel1987 It's getting so hard for me to put on my shoes now! I know it's going to be worse from here on out.

@rainbows2018 Embrace the stretchy maternity clothes! There is no way I could fit into any of my normal wardrobe by 18w for sure.

meredithj123

@ReesaAnne16  don't feel bad about gender disappointment! Thats part of the reason we aren't finding out-I feel like my husband might be sad if its a girl and I want to keep his excitement up. I figure when its born he will obviously love it no matter what it is! I think this is completely normal! Excited to hear what it is!

Im 24.2 weeks. Also flying by! I can't even believe it! Feeling great actually, still throwing up when I forget to take my nausea meds though! Glad to hear everyone had a great christmas and new years!

rel_1987

@helloworld9 I'm so ready for winter to be over so I can just slide my feet into flip flops!!!

ReesaAnne16

Well our little one was being stubborn for the ultrasound and wanted to stay curled in a ball the whole time. 
Luckily that gave us a good view between the legs.... I couldn't contain my excitement when the ultrasonographer asked if we were ready to know the gender, and I blurted out "It looks like a GIRL!!!" I was right
I'm so excited!!!! DH is a little nervous about the idea of parenting a girl (He grew up with all boys in his family) but he seems excited and things feel more real for both of us now. It's a great feeling

Are we allowed to share pictures?!?

I felt that kick! Caught red footed

Hopeful_mom

@ReesaAnne16 woohoo congrats!!! Love the US!! I'm really hoping I will be getting a 3D US soon!!! Soooo cute!! So thrilled for you!

@rainbows2018 welcome!! I'm laughing as I have my own muffin too so for the longest I keep saying I don't have a bump but my top roll is making up for it now I guess.  Still living in pjays with my shingles so I'm still good 

@nmtay hoping u can keep ur Lil ones cookingbremember everyone is different and quite a few on here have carried their twins to 34 and 37 weeks! U got this!!

@meredithj123 you still are having nausea? Nooooo!!! Mine has been getting better then it was but I keep praying it finishes already. I love that ur waiting for the surprise.  My OH doesn't want to know however im getting nervous that he's going to confuse the baby as he keeps going back and forth between boy and a girl.

Holls214

@ReesaAnne16 yay! So exciting. I love seeing from pictures. Congrats! Can’t wait for some new ones in 2 weeks. Such a long wait. 
@Hopeful_mom you still have shingles? I’m so sorry. I live in pjs at home but have been actually getting Loren dressed lately. Been trying to make my leggings look nice I guess haha. I found a cheap pair of maternity jeans on Amazon and they fit great! 
@helloworld9 I have let mine go too haha. I have been so cold I had to buy an electric razor to shave since I can’t shave with goosebumps. 
@rainbows2018 welcome! I haven’t been able to fit into my regular jeans in forever and I’m 17 weeks. It’s starting to look a little more like a bump I guess. I think I also gained weight during IVF. 
AFM patiently waiting for 2 weeks for our next US. I threw out my back so been dealing with that. I’m having a bit of a struggle dealing with the body changes. It’s just weird I guess. I have already gained almost 10 pounds. I am going to try to add regular exercise into my routine and stop eating whatever I want. The vag is way better no more itching thankfully. 

TravelingCouple

@ReesaAnne16 Love the pics!! So adorable
@Holls214 I understand the body changes taking some getting used to. It's a lot..emotionally and physically!

AFM I had a prenatal appt this morning and asked about the skin itching. It's actually a lot better than it was a few days ago and OB doesn't seem concerned at all. He looked and saw no rash and no marks so clearly I'm not even scratching that hard. He said he's not concerned about it being Cholestatsis so that's a relief. He said it's most likely dry skin because of the bitter cold we're experiencing. I got to hear baby's HB and he found it first shot! So much smoother than my last prenatal when the OB couldn't find the heartbeat at all with the doppler and I had to wait for the sono tech to come back to the office to make sure baby was ok...so glad today was quick and easy! I also scheduled our anatomy scan for Jan 30th! I'm so excited. When I told my BFF, she said she wants to throw us a gender reveal party so now we will have to wait just a bit longer than the 30th, but I am so excited and grateful that she wants to make it special for us

FuzzyDust

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm 18 weeks today with a boy. I had a job interview 2 days ago (that was moved from 2 weeks ago due to people sick and holidays), and it looks like the baby really wanted to wait for it before going on a growth spurt  The bump still doesn't look like anything for those who don't know, but I can clearly see in the mirror and feel it with my hands. It's much tighter than the regular belly fat, and I can't "suck it in".
BTW, looks like I got the job, but a little different position from what I originally applied for. Woo-Hoo! I think the transition will be in Feb, and I'll need to tell the new manager about the baby 

I'm still having occasional nausea (especially in the afternoon), and everyone comments that my face looks thinner. I haven't re-gained all of my pre-pregnancy weight, but I do feel like the baby is still growing while I myself am losing weight.

rainbows2018

@hopefulmom I can’t believe you still have the shingles! Must be painful. I’m living in my jammies too. Thank God I work from home. Nausea and vomiting is still in full swing. On an unrelated note does anyone have experience with Makena? My doctor is asking me to start it as of week 16 because my firstborn was 3.5 weeks early. It’s a once weekly long acting  progesterone shot - different from the PIO most of us were on during transfers. My doctor thinks it’s safe but I read it caused some MCs in clinical trials so I’m nervous.

cashewchicken

@TravelingCouple I'm glad you don't have Cholestasis!  My skin hasn't been itching too badly after running a humidifier at night and applying body lotion on my body.  Must be due to dry skin.

@mtpbadger and @rainbows2018 Congrats and welcome!

@ReesaAnne16 Congrats on your baby girl!

@Hopeful_mom My insurance covered all tests (NT scan, 1st and 2nd trimester screening BW, NIPT), but this may also be due to where I live (California).  I believe the state covers most tests for a flat fee, if I'm not mistaken, so it's not a lot of money to get the tests done in the first place and my insurance seems to kick in to cover the rest.  Hope your shingles go away 

@nmtay I'm glad you're doing better!  I know four ladies that delivered twins and all have delivered on or after week 34.  One of them delivered full-term at 38 weeks, but she didn't gain much weight during her pregnancy.  Most likely you will be delivering sometime between 34-38.  Good luck!

@FuzzyDust Congrats on your new job!

@Holls214 and @Hopeful_mom My boobs have gotten bigger in the first trimester (but then again, they were 32A to begin with...) and just... stopped.  Not sure what size I am now as I wear Uniqlo bras that have XS/S/M/L/XL type of sizing rather than a regular bra sizing.  I've gone up from XS to S.  Was hoping I'd get bigger in my second trimester but nope!  As for landscaping... I haven't been able to see down there in weeks so I have let myself go (not that I was taking good care of it before the pregnancy).  I caught myself in a mirror the other day and was shocked!  I've heard that your hair becomes thick and lustrous during pregnancy but it seems as though this happened not for the hair on my head but down there (sorry, TMI). Huh.

TravelingCouple

@FuzzyDust congrats on the new job!

meredithj123

@Hopeful_mom Yes we are still not finding out gender! What about you guys? Thats funny about them being confused haha. We did tell the ultrasonography that if it was a he/she we wanted to know Otherwise if it was one gender we were fine not knowing!! My nausea is better for sure, but I still get sick if I forget my diclegis. I tried weaning off it but I don't think i'll be able to unfortunately. As long as I take my meds I'm fine which is a huge blessing!!

Holls214

@meredithj123 how far along are you? I have tried not taking my nausea meds and have gotten sick every time... I’m taking only with lunch and dinner now but would have liked to have stopped them. I’m 17+ weeks. 

@cashewchicken mine also grew in the first trimester then stopped too. I’m a B. Would like a little bigger, I mean come on lol.