@wickedtiny I can totally relate. I am terrified for my u/s on Friday. I am hoping I will feel less stress afterward, but I can’t guarantee it. Good luck!
NTNP since Dec 2012 | TTC since Jan 2016 Dx: Unspecified IF BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
So I’m a little freaked right now. I have autoimmune thyroid antibodies, but my TSH has always been normal even during my first pregnancy, though it jumps around wnl.
Just got my first during-pregnancy TSH lab results back and I’m seriously hyperthyroid TSH = .05. Waiting to hear back from my OB’s office, but feeling a little panicked. I was prepared for being hypothyroid, just start levothyroxine and problem solved, but the little I know suggests managing hyperthyroid is a little more complex, especially during pregnancy.
@katzalia I've been on Armour Thyroid for a couple of months at 30mg. My bloodwork came back as T3 and T4 in normal ranger, but TSH of .02. I received a message from my doctor with a new rx for 15mg Armour Thyroid. From the little research I did, TSH isn't always the best indicator during pregnancy. Did they test T3 and T4? How were those numbers? I don't have any autoimmune disorders, so they don't know why my T4 was initially low (that's why I started Armour). I'm assuming they'll continue to monitor me, but she didn't seem panicked! Also, from what I read, being hypo is more cause for worry than hyper in pregnancy. FX they can figure it out for you! Keep me posted, because I'm interested!
@Katzalia I've always had normal hormone levels but during pregnancy I became hypothyroid. My OB prescribed me something, I freaked out and went to an endocrinologist but turns out the first doctor was right and I'm now taking some medicine everyday and my TSH levels are fine. Talk to your doctor and don't worry too much, most of those drugs are totally safe to be used during pregnancy!
@texas_t thanks for the reassurance and for sharing your experience. I just got a call from my OB. She said hcg can often suppress TSH during pregnancy, so TSH isn’t the most helpful indicator. She also said the same thing you did, that being hyperthyroid is actually helpful for pregnancy, so she doesn’t recommend treating hyperthyroid unless the symptoms are uncomfortable for me. It sounds like she wouldn’t have changed my dose right now if I had been on medication.
So right now the plan is to monitor every month, or in 2 weeks if I think I’m having more hypothyroid symptoms. Which totally could happen. My TSH can swing 2-3 points in a couple weeks.
Keep me posted on how things go for you, too. It’s nice to chat with someone else who’s dealing with similar stuff.
Can we talk a minute about nipple exfoliation? I was just scrubbing in the shower and was painfully sloughing dead skin cells off the nips. Has anybody tried a AHA or BHA liquid on the nipples? I obviously wouldn’t use liquid exfoliants if/when BFing, I’m just trying to save a little pain here.
NTNP since Dec 2012 | TTC since Jan 2016 Dx: Unspecified IF BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
@katzalia It's nice to hear confirmation from your doctor! I didn't call my doc to talk about it and just consulted dr. google, so it's nice to hear a professionals opinion!
@echo-charlietango wait, exfoliating the nips? Is that a thing? sounds excruciating. I actually would try olive oil? That’s what I used to do when my first kid had dry patches of skin — an olive oil massage by hand, then mild soap & water to remove if needed.
@Katzalia Well, the skin isn’t dry, it’s just that I apparently have a high cell turnover rate and need a good scrub... but it hurts
NTNP since Dec 2012 | TTC since Jan 2016 Dx: Unspecified IF BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
@Katzalia Hey there, sounds like you're on an awesome monitoring plan and have lots of good info! I just wanted to add that if you're hyperthyroid during, and especially right after your pregnancy, you need to be extra vigilant about postpartum anxiety. Your thyroid going hyper can cause PPA (and going hypo can cause PPD) I had the displeasure of experiencing both because, in addition to my normal thyroid autoimmune disease, I had severe postpartum thyroiditis after I gave birth to my daughter, and my thyroid was swinging very drastically back and forth between hyper and hypo, and giving my anxiety and depression/fatigue as it swung. Hopefully you will not have any of that to deal with, but to be extra safe, just familiarize yourself with the symptoms of both PPA and PPD (especially PPA, since you're hyper) and if you start feeling any of those signs, let your OB know to check your thyroid asap.
PM me if you'd like any more info! I've had a thyroid autoimmune disease since 2010 and have gone through pregnancy with it and I know it can be scary at first, but it's usually easy to manage, just about monitoring (which your doc is doing!)
@maureenmce thanks for reaching out and sharing your experience. I’ve known for 5+ years that at some point my thyroid’s going to go crazy (really elevated anti-TPO antibodies), but so far I’ve always had my labs wnl. I guess we’ll see how things go with monitoring. I do feel very reassured after talking to my OB this morning. I always feel better with good info and a plan. I think I was mostly thrown because I expected if anything, to be hypothyroid, and I had zero sense of what the plan would be for hyperthyroid.
I *LOVE* that you mentioned PPA — I think we only ever hear about PPD, but postpartum anxiety can absolutely happen too, especially in the context of hyperthyroidism, but for other reasons, too. As a psychologist with part of my practice in women’s health and perinatal mental health, I think it’s something we should all be more aware of. All those hormones going crazy during pregnancy and postpartum, and they absolutely interact with brain chemistry.
@Katzalia Yes, PPA is so undermentioned! And I had no idea (until it happened to me) that it could be caused by underlying thyroid issue, but yes, it can totally happen in absence of thyroid issues too, and it's so important for everyone to look out for the signs. So glad you have an OB who is on top of things and monitoring you closely! Sounds like you're very well informed (especially as a psychologist with part of your practice devoted to women's health!) and are in good hands!
Is it normal to feel completely and totally flattened during 1st trimester? I’m 9 weeks, and have been barely functional for 3 weeks now. The nausea is constant, plus churning stomach, periods of intense dizziness, head aches, and exhaustion. This is my second kid.....I remember being super sick with my first, but was still functional. My family is getting worried.....should I be concerned?
@cmcintos I would definitely mention it to your doctor. I did know someone who was very sick during first tri, and even into second tri I think. I was younger so I'm not sure what she did to help, but I do remember that she was barely around the church anymore for a while. Idk that I would be super worried at the moment, but I do think it's definitely worth talking to your doctor/MW. S/he can probably prescribe or suggest something to help with the nausea!
@ab_canada For DS I took a photo of myself in the nursery each week throughout my pregnancy. Then I made a photo book that included them and photos from my showers, etc. They turned out really neat because you can see the progression of my belly as well as the transition from guest room to nursery. I actually showed DS the belly photos a couple of months ago while trying to explain a friend’s pregnancy.
Ya.....I’ve seen my family doctor and she prescribed declectin....it isn’t working this time around. Just makes me drowsy and floaty feeling, but still sick. Maybe it takes the edge off the nausea, but doesn’t help with the churning stomach. I just try and eat often....bagels with butter are my saviour at the moment. Here’s to hoping it improves soon!
@ab_canada I have Promptly Journals for both children now -- the first time around I made the mistake of not cracking the journal open until after the baby had arrived, only to discover that there are prompts for each trimester of pregnancy in addition to the regular baby stuff. I love them because each age milestone when you'd typically see a pediatrician has prompts and then lined pages for other notes. So it's easy to jot down a few things at the beginning of the month and at least semi keep up.
For photos...well, I'm keeping track a million different ways.
1) I have a vanity Instagram wardrobe account, so it was fun to keep track of my growing belly that way, as well as the baby growing up after he was out. I haven't been doing it nearly as much as I used to though, but I am only 8 weeks along.
2) I also took regular weekly pictures in front of a white wall and used one of those apps to overlay "baby is the size of a..." text.
3) Last time I tried to do this idea from Pinterest but forgot; I've got the first photo taken again, and hope to remember the next two! Should be especially cute to see #1's growth from photo to photo.
4) This pregnancy I got one of those letter boards (yeah yeah) and have already started taking weekly shots like the one in the spoiler. I know I don't have a belly yet, but last time I skipped almost the entire first trimester of photos and I didn't want to do that this time around.
5) Once the baby gets here I'm going to do the normal month shots, though I may get something to size-compare (I didn't last time). I'm also going to use the message board to record actual baby milestones like, "First blowout that caused Mom to trash my clothes" and "first time falling off the bed"
6) Last time around I tried to take daily diaper-only shots of my kid from above but that only lasted about 6 months. Once they start to roll, it's all over. (And yeah, those monthly shots become really difficult too.)
7) Wow this is getting nuts, I've never listed all this stuff before. I did 1SecondEveryday starting at around a month for #1 and it is so freaking cool. My top recommendation. Definitely doing it for the next one. The app may cost a couple bucks but soooo worth it to watch your peanut grow from a squirmy squish to an actual freaking toddler in the span of 10 minutes or so. I think it would be cool to do it with daily belly shots too, but I seriously don't have time for that. As you can see.
Me: 31 | DH: 31
Together since 2003 | Married 2010 TTC #1 January 2016 BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016 Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018 BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
@cmcintos I'm in the same boat. Also taking Diclentic. I take 2 pills at 10:30 every night which keeps the edge off during the day. But if I go more then a couple hours without eating I feel really sick again. I've also been heaving on the carbs. Do what you've got to to survive this trimester. Try to snack on cracker or something similar before the nausea sets in again. Hopefully it passes soon!
@PensiveCrayon Wow, those are some great ideas. I love the idea of the 1secondeveryday app. I wouldn't have thought of that, that's for sure!
I'm not a fan of maternity photos. For some reason I don't think I would want to see how big I will get. Is that too vain? Or has anyone thought that and changed their minds? All of my friends got professional photos at around 8 months and I just don't think I would want to spend the money on that..
@ab_canada I think if I was the kind of pregnant woman who glowed, I might be less averse to maternity photos, but real talk: there are plenty of women who do NOT wear pregnancy well, and I am one of them, and I do not need to preserve photographic evidence of that time I looked like a listless beached whale. No amount of flower crowns or frolicking are going to make me look less like a bloated corpse once the third tri rolls around.
(ETA: but MAN did I feel pretty once I got that baby out of me!)
@AGK2015 That's exactly what I'm feeling! If I could have my own baby without actually being pregnant, I totally would. I love the "I didn't know I was pregnant" show. It would be so much easier lol.
I usually cut my face out of my bumpies because what I have isn't "glow". haha SO said to me last night "you're glowing" to which I replied "that's sweat." I am so sexy.
Re people who don't know they're pregnant; this has always baffled me. I mean, c'mon.
Re people who don't know they're pregnant; this has always baffled me. I mean, c'mon.
Same! I mean, yes, pregnancy is different for everyone, but wow. Just trying to imagine feeling and looking normal when pg just sounds unrealistically surreal.
I wish that 1st trimester bloat was talked about more. That’s been my biggest surprise. I thought that I would look normal for the first tri. Bahaha!
NTNP since Dec 2012 | TTC since Jan 2016 Dx: Unspecified IF BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
I mean, if you have a really easy first tri and irregular cycles I guess I can imagine not knowing. But 3rd tri when the baby is trying to do gymnastics into your ribs is where it really baffles me.
Me: 31 | DH: 31
Together since 2003 | Married 2010 TTC #1 January 2016 BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016 Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018 BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
Re “Didn’t know I was pregnant” My sister had a coworker who didn’t know until third tri. Or she was really good at pretending not to know? But I doubt she’d do that. She was terrified when she found out. She had the baby about 3 weeks later. It wasn’t her first kid either, I’m told. So, idk. My mom said she didn’t know she was pregnant with my other sister until she was 3 months in. In her defense, I was a baby & she wasn’t expecting another. (We are 14 months apart) She had some regular bleeding that she assumed were periods.
Hey STMs doing genetic testing, do you have any experience with Panorama vs. MaterniT/Sequenom? The company I used last time is not longer being used by my OB and she asked me to choose between the companies, but both of them are covered by my insurance, and both the out of pocket estimates are vague, so...I have no idea how to choose? I guess I'll just pick the one that people have had the best experience with?
@maureenmce We ended up doing the maternitI last time. The blood work was done at 25 weeks because I had polyhydramnios and DS showed some soft markers for trisomy. It took exactly one week for the results, but I am not sure if it would typically take that long, as my blood was drawn the day before Thanksgiving and was on able to be shipped until after the holiday.
I wish that 1st trimester bloat was talked about more. That’s been my biggest surprise. I thought that I would look normal for the first tri. Bahaha!
This x a million. I haven’t had the bloating so much this time (maybe because I’m so food averse and nauseated I’m not eating much) but last time I couldn’t tolerate *anything* pressing on my belly because of the horrible bloat.
Hey STMs doing genetic testing, do you have any experience with Panorama vs. MaterniT/Sequenom? The company I used last time is not longer being used by my OB and she asked me to choose between the companies, but both of them are covered by my insurance, and both the out of pocket estimates are vague, so...I have no idea how to choose? I guess I'll just pick the one that people have had the best experience with?
Thank you!
Good question. I have been trying to get together the motivation to do research on the different testing options. I have no idea what I should be doing? My first pregnancy we just did very basic stuff. Now I’m AMA, with some difficulty getting oregnant, and my thyroid going off.. so I’m definitely planning to do more testing than last time. But the info on my OB’s website feels like way too many choices without a lot of guidance on how to decide what’s indicated. Any suggestions on where to educate myself on the this a bit more?
Is it possible to get mastitis this early? My left boob is so hard and hurty, but i havent breastfed in a year and havent been able to express any milk in months.
The bloat is so real. I can see not knowing if you have irregular cycles, but I feel like I got run over by a truck, so I feel like most people would feel that something’s off!
@runrinserepeat have you had it before? It feels like you’re dying, and that’s not an exaggeration. I woke up out of a dead sleep in tons of pain, covered in sweat and shivering. You’d know. @katy0990 is right though maybe a clogged duct? Last pregnancy I started leaking colostrum super early so I could see how that would happen.
No, I think the clogged duct is probably more accurate. It’s been so long since I dealt with any of this that I just completely spaced. I used the heating pad last night and rubbed the hell out of it, and the hard ouchy part is mostly gone, so yay. The joys of breasts...
Re: Question Thread
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
Just got my first during-pregnancy TSH lab results back and I’m seriously hyperthyroid TSH = .05. Waiting to hear back from my OB’s office, but feeling a little panicked. I was prepared for being hypothyroid, just start levothyroxine and problem solved, but the little I know suggests managing hyperthyroid is a little more complex, especially during pregnancy.
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
So right now the plan is to monitor every month, or in 2 weeks if I think I’m having more hypothyroid symptoms. Which totally could happen. My TSH can swing 2-3 points in a couple weeks.
Keep me posted on how things go for you, too. It’s nice to chat with someone else who’s dealing with similar stuff.
Can we talk a minute about nipple exfoliation? I was just scrubbing in the shower and was painfully sloughing dead skin cells off the nips. Has anybody tried a AHA or BHA liquid on the nipples? I obviously wouldn’t use liquid exfoliants if/when BFing, I’m just trying to save a little pain here.
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
*Rainbow 8/2015*
*Expected Rainbows 12/2018*
*Loss of Twin 5/2018*
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
Are there any fun ways you are planning (or have with your first baby) to keep track of your pregnancy, to be able to have cute memories?
Are you planning a scrapbook or photo book to keep the sonograms and announcement pictures, etc?
Should I have started a new discussion for this? I feel like there would be lots of ideas!
PM me if you'd like any more info! I've had a thyroid autoimmune disease since 2010 and have gone through pregnancy with it and I know it can be scary at first, but it's usually easy to manage, just about monitoring (which your doc is doing!)
I *LOVE* that you mentioned PPA — I think we only ever hear about PPD, but postpartum anxiety can absolutely happen too, especially in the context of hyperthyroidism, but for other reasons, too. As a psychologist with part of my practice in women’s health and perinatal mental health, I think it’s something we should all be more aware of. All those hormones going crazy during pregnancy and postpartum, and they absolutely interact with brain chemistry.
DS2 due 12/12/18
For photos...well, I'm keeping track a million different ways.
1) I have a vanity Instagram wardrobe account, so it was fun to keep track of my growing belly that way, as well as the baby growing up after he was out. I haven't been doing it nearly as much as I used to though, but I am only 8 weeks along.
2) I also took regular weekly pictures in front of a white wall and used one of those apps to overlay "baby is the size of a..." text.
3) Last time I tried to do this idea from Pinterest but forgot; I've got the first photo taken again, and hope to remember the next two! Should be especially cute to see #1's growth from photo to photo.
4) This pregnancy I got one of those letter boards (yeah yeah) and have already started taking weekly shots like the one in the spoiler. I know I don't have a belly yet, but last time I skipped almost the entire first trimester of photos and I didn't want to do that this time around.
5) Once the baby gets here I'm going to do the normal month shots, though I may get something to size-compare (I didn't last time). I'm also going to use the message board to record actual baby milestones like, "First blowout that caused Mom to trash my clothes" and "first time falling off the bed"
6) Last time around I tried to take daily diaper-only shots of my kid from above but that only lasted about 6 months. Once they start to roll, it's all over. (And yeah, those monthly shots become really difficult too.)
7) Wow this is getting nuts, I've never listed all this stuff before. I did 1SecondEveryday starting at around a month for #1 and it is so freaking cool. My top recommendation. Definitely doing it for the next one. The app may cost a couple bucks but soooo worth it to watch your peanut grow from a squirmy squish to an actual freaking toddler in the span of 10 minutes or so. I think it would be cool to do it with daily belly shots too, but I seriously don't have time for that. As you can see.
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
Wow, those are some great ideas. I love the idea of the 1secondeveryday app. I wouldn't have thought of that, that's for sure!
I'm not a fan of maternity photos. For some reason I don't think I would want to see how big I will get. Is that too vain? Or has anyone thought that and changed their minds? All of my friends got professional photos at around 8 months and I just don't think I would want to spend the money on that..
(ETA: but MAN did I feel pretty once I got that baby out of me!)
That's exactly what I'm feeling! If I could have my own baby without actually being pregnant, I totally would. I love the "I didn't know I was pregnant" show. It would be so much easier lol.
SO said to me last night "you're glowing" to which I replied "that's sweat." I am so sexy.
Re people who don't know they're pregnant; this has always baffled me. I mean, c'mon.
Me: 40 | SO: 32
DDs: 11, 7.5 | Due: 22-Dec
We're having another GIRL!!
I wish that 1st trimester bloat was talked about more. That’s been my biggest surprise. I thought that I would look normal for the first tri. Bahaha!
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
TTC #1 January 2016
BFP April 18 2016 | EDD December 29, 2016
Welcome baby A! January 9, 2017
TTC#2 March 2018
BFP March 30, 2018 | EDD December 12, 2018
My mom said she didn’t know she was pregnant with my other sister until she was 3 months in. In her defense, I was a baby & she wasn’t expecting another. (We are 14 months apart) She had some regular bleeding that she assumed were periods.
Thank you!
Good question. I have been trying to get together the motivation to do research on the different testing options. I have no idea what I should be doing? My first pregnancy we just did very basic stuff. Now I’m AMA, with some difficulty getting oregnant, and my thyroid going off.. so I’m definitely planning to do more testing than last time. But the info on my OB’s website feels like way too many choices without a lot of guidance on how to decide what’s indicated. Any suggestions on where to educate myself on the this a bit more?
@katy0990 is right though maybe a clogged duct? Last pregnancy I started leaking colostrum super early so I could see how that would happen.
DS2 due 12/12/18