PGAL check in week of 2/3

pirateduck

How are you ladies doing?  It's been awhile since we had a check in so I figured I'd start one.  Follow the format, or not, just want to see how everyone is doing and hoping you are past most of your anxiety and excited about your baby on the way!

This thread is for those who are pregnant after a previous loss(es)

Weeks/EDD/How many times a mom? 

Previous loss(es)? 

How are you feeling? Emotionally & physically? 

Any appointment updates? 

Rants/Raves/Questions? 

Any milestones coming up? 

pirateduck

Weeks/EDD/How many times a mom? 
25+5 due May 13, FTM

Previous loss(es)? 
CP in 2016 and MC in July 2019

How are you feeling? Emotionally & physically? 
Physically, exhausted, still struggling with insomnia, however, most all other negative symptoms have subsided for the time being.  I feel baby moving around most all day every day.  I'm not always sure if I like it, but it's emotionally reassuring.  Emotionally, I feel like I'm over the PGAL brain hump and feel better knowing that at this stage of pregnancy we are at the point of viability outside the womb, so even if something goes wrong, there's still hope for a good outcome.  Now I'm worried more about what happens when baby arrives instead of worrying about pregnancy itself.  I recently told someone we were having a baby and his reaction when I told him the due date was how that's really soon, and then I thought about that and panic set in!  MAY IS REALLY SOON! 

Any appointment updates? 
Just my routine Centering appointment this week.  Starting in February we are going to twice a month appointments instead of once a month.  Due to my risk factors and extra testing etc. I think I've only had one month (January) my entire pregnancy with only one appointment, so while for some ladies this is ramping up the frequency, it's not any more than what I'm used to.  I think I had 3 (or maybe 4) appointments in December, soooo yeah, I can handle twice a month.

Rants/Raves/Questions? 
My midwife (and favorite person at the practice) is officially gone now, she's moved away.  This week is my first appointment with a different person at the practice, I believe the only one I haven't met yet.  I hope I like her, and I'm glad I get to meet the last person on the team that could possibly be on call for delivery, I've had previous appointments with everyone else.  As of my last appointment they hadn't hired anyone new yet, I just hope that if/when then hire another OB or CNM that I get to meet and have at least one appointment with him/her before delivery as well.

Any milestones coming up?
I think that's all I've got for now.

shamrocandroll

@pirateduck May feels so close, yet so far!  I also feel like I've been pregnant for 84 years at this point, haha.  Winter pregnancies definitely go by slower than summer pregnancies! 

Weeks/EDD/How many times a mom? 26+5 / May 7 / STM

Previous loss(es)?  MMC in Nov '18 and early loss Feb '19

How are you feeling? Emotionally & physically?  Physically I feel like a mess.  Everything that took until 7 months to happen last time started at about 5 months this time.  I officially have varicose/spider veins now and have started wearing compression stockings.  At least it's better to have to wear them in the winter than in summer/fall, anyway.  My sciatica flared back up again yesterday, and I'm officially at the point of "I need to call my PT."  But mentally, I'm feeling pretty good!  I'll feel a lot better once DS1's new room is ready for him to move in so I can start nursery nesting in earnest.  

Any appointment updates?  Feb 17 for a growth scan since they're concerned I'm not gaining weight.

Rants/Raves/Questions?  None that I haven't already brought up in other threads!

Any milestones coming up?  I guess just 3rd tri at this point!

m6agua

Weeks/EDD/How many times a mom?  25+5, May 14, 1 DD

Previous loss(es)? Nov '15 MMC/BO at 11 weeks, sac measuring 6 weeks

How are you feeling? Pretty good, the movement is really nice and reassuring. I am nervous for when the movements start changing as he gets bigger. I remember freaking out sometime in the 3rd tri with DD and going in to get checked since I wasn't feeling as much movement, when really it just changed.

Any appointment updates? 18th for 28 week appointment with glucose screening, 24th with endocrinology to check thyroid levels

Rants/Raves/Questions? Ugh I just want to dig in and get everything done now. I know it is going to take some time though. I'm slowly working on my parts of getting things ready for DD and the new baby. It seems like DH has stalled on his tasks.

Any milestones coming up? Nope, my empty due date is May 31 and this little one should be here by then.

m6agua

@pirateduck How are you liking the centering method? It seems like you plan to stick with it.

@shamrocandroll I'm noticing symptoms much sooner this time too! I am having some sciatica issues but this time on the right side. With DD it was my left. Doesn't seem to be as bad yet, I am hoping chiropractic care and some massages help.

pirateduck

@shamrocandroll Third tri is sooooo close!!!
@m6agua so far Centering is good.  It's good to get together and talk with people about things regularly.  Outside of Centering I don't feel like I have other women I'm friends with at this stage of life.  I have many that are childless by choice, or had kids quite some time ago.  Also my glucose test is in 2 days!

shamrocandroll

@m6agua That's too funny... my N16 baby was left side sciatica and this May20 baby is right side sciatica too!  My Christmas gift massage I got a little less than a month ago made me feel almost completely better up until yesterday, so now I'm telling MH he's getting me a Valentine's day massage too.    But I also want to start PT now and continue it after delivery because I want to resolve my pelvic floor issues sooner than later.  Especially since I'll be all done doing further damage to it at that point.  My PT office just hired a pelvic floor therapist, and I got oddly excited when I saw that email.    

m6agua

@shamrocandroll Weird! I did pelvic floor PT for a bit last time, but it was 2 years postpartum I've been thinking about going while pregnant this time around too, I think I will wait until next month to decide.

ruby696

Hi ladies! 

Weeks/EDD/How many times a mom? TTM & FTM 😬

Previous loss(es)? Too many. 3 CP's and 3 MMC's.

How are you feeling? Emotionally & physically? Physically, I'm starting to get uncomfortable. Sleep is HARD. Emotionally, I was doing great until my growth scan yesterday. Now I'm stressed. 

Any appointment updates? You've probably all seen my update, so I won't bore you with it again. I'm really worried about GD and I really, really am hoping to get to 37-38 weeks. I didn't have GD with my last two, so the fact that I might have it this time is kind of a hard pill to swallow. Especially since I was really active and in good shape before getting pregnant this time. OB appt on Thursday. 

Rants/Raves/Questions? I'm super excited that MH has the week off and can do school drop off and pick up, because now I don't have to stay later at work to makeup time for getting in later (I normally drop off). So that's the highlight of this week!

Any milestones coming up? Nope.

shamrocandroll

@ruby696 I'm keeping everything crossed for you that you don't have GD and everything checks out okay.  And yay for an easier week!  

rachelg777

@pirateduck I'm really sorry about the insomnia, that makes everything so much more difficult in life. Good luck with the new midwife - I hope you like her!

@shamrocandroll Hope you feel better after a little PT! Ohh I hate compression socks with a passion. They help so much though. Taking them off was always the best part after a long day at work.

@m6agua I am so with you on wanting to get everything done right now but also know it's going to be a process for us. I have my 28 week with glucose on the 18th as well.

@ruby696 I saw your update on growth discordance, but I think I missed the GD part. Did you fail your 1 hour or what is implicating GD? I'm sorry, that's stressful news. Hoping everything is well with both you and babies!!


Weeks/EDD/How many times a mom? 25+6, 5/14, 1 DS

Previous loss(es)? MMC in 2017

How are you feeling? Emotionally & physically? A little nauseous again and a lot of heartburn. As I said when I checked in at pre-natal yoga this week - starting to feel like I need to "slow down". So I'm trying to remind myself of that and not be too hard on myself when I don't accomplish everything on my to do list. 

Any appointment updates? 2/18 for glucose screen, ultrasound to check on the soft markers from our AS, and appt. with OB - will be a long one.

Rants/Raves/Questions? I'm getting a mani/pedi after work today - DH and I are going to an event for his law school this weekend. It's been way too long since we've had a date night or even dinner out sans kiddo so I'm really excited!

Any milestones coming up? Nope 

shamrocandroll

@rachelg777 I have the ones that go alllll the way up to my thigh.  It takes me so much longer to get dressed in the mornings now.  After dinner, I lie on my back on the bed with my legs in the air and MH peels them off of me because it's way easier than trying to get them off myself.  It's super sexy.    Enjoy your mani/pedi and dtae night!!!  I said I was going to get one pedi a month, but I haven't kept up with that.  But I need someone else to reach my feet for me, haha!

rachelg777

@shamrocandroll oh man the heavy duty ones! That's a lot of work in the mornings, practically a workout before you start your day.  TMI my feet always smelled horrible in my compression socks because I would sweat so much at work. MH stayed far away    Hopefully you get your pedi soon!

ruby696

@rachelg777 Baby girl also has an elevated amount of amniotic fluid, which could be a sigh of GD. With that said, both DS and DD had tons of fluid (think Niagara falls when my water broke), so it could also be a mild case of hydramnios. I would prefer that to GD because then we just have to watch it and as long as it's not severe, it's not a huge deal. My 3 hr GTT is on the 14th, so I haven't failed anything yet. Also, enjoy your night with YH! Law school events can be fun, especially if he likes the people in his class. 

rachelg777

@ruby696 ah okay I remember that now. I didn't realize the amount of fluid correlated with GD at all, I learn something new everyday. Yes, hopefully no GD and only the mild hydramnios then! Or even better that it just goes back to normal with the next check. Thanks! We do, obviously we are a little older than most of his classmates but there are also plenty of "families" as well, although it is the minority. I think that ends up making it more of a tight knit group though.   

ruby696

@rachelg777 When I was in law school, on of my good friends and member of my study group, was in her early 50's. She was smart as hell and hilarious, and I still have lunch with her 10 years later. There were six of us (only two of us didn't have families) and we were all very close and ate still close a decade later. I hope you guys have a great time!

splashmountain

Thanks for starting @pirateduck and good luck when you meet the other OB. Hopefully you like her

@shamrocandroll haha, yeah I'm guessing compression socks in the winter are way better than the summer. I'm picturing you pregnant, in shorts and flip flops and rocking the compression sock lol 

@m6agua I love all the movent too! It's so reassuring

@ruby696 I'm sorry you didn't get great news at your appt the other day. Hopefully everything's fine. I did have GD with my last pregnancy and it sucked sometimes, but honestly wasn't too bad. It's amazing how easy it is to stick to a diet when it's affecting more than just you, KWIM?

@rachelg777 enjoy the mani/pedi and date night! Sounds amazing!

Weeks/EDD/How many times a mom?
25+6, 5/14, stm

Previous loss(es)? 
MC 12/2016, CP 7/2018

How are you feeling? Emotionally & physically? 
Physically, I'm just tired. I didn't seem to get the second trimester energy boost like I did with DS and now it's almost time for the third tri! My hips are still painful, but sleeping with a pillow between my legs seems to help so I'm not so sore when I start my day. Emotionally, I'm not nearly as anxious as I was early on. I still keep having weird dreams where she's born but I don't have anything ready so I can't take her home or she's born but I never get to meet her and I keep trying to see her but something always happens. Those suck, but I know that's just lingering fears from my previous losses.

Any appointment updates? 
Regular OB appt with a sono at the end of the month and hopefully we'll schedule my c-section at that time

Rants/Raves/Questions? 
We're so behind on cleaning out the spare bedroom! I want it cleared out, painted and set up for DS so he can move in there sometime next month but we've barely started. Motivation is at an all time low right now 

Any milestones coming up? 
Nope 

ruby696

@splashmountain I feel you in motivation lacking. We need to clean out our office for the nursery and, unfortunately, it's mostly MH's. And he can't throw anything away, so it's not going well. 

Re: GD, I'm not so worried about the diet, but I assume I'll have to do finger sticks to check blood sugar? You'd think I'd be okay with that after IVF, but I hate finger sticks. That's what I'm dreading most.

m6agua

@ruby696 I hope you can avoid the GD diagnosis, but know that if you do end up with it, it doesn't reflect on you. Sometimes it just has to do with the way the placenta processes insulin. I was at my lowest weight and doing a cardio kickboxing class 2-3x per week prior to getting pregnant with DD as well as during. My A1C was 4.7 at the start of pregnancy, which is a great number! I still got GD and it was nothing I did, my A1C rose to 5.7 by the end and I was able to manage through diet alone. If you do get diagnosed they most likely will have you prick your finger first thing in the morning, then an hour (or 2) after breakfast, lunch and dinner. So 4 times per day. They will likely will have you track/record your meals, including what you ate and some form of measurement... at least in the beginning. For me the finger pricks were not too bad and I skipped some toward the end and went by how I felt, although my fingers ended up being a bit callused by the end of pregnancy.

@rachelg777 I hope you have fun at the event this weekend!

@splashmountain I'm sorry about the weird dreams. I'm in the same boat with getting our spare room ready for DD. Right now it is the office and I need to clear it out, including moving the large heavy desk out, find a new place for the litter box, clean it really well, add some built in shelves to the closet, buy and install ceiling fan, install curtain rods, paint, and then get DD's bedroom furniture in and set up the room. Ideally I would like to get this done by the end of the month. Once I have that done I can finally start washing and getting the baby clothes put in the nursery, do some touch up painting, and hanging up some different decor. I'm hoping to bring out the old toys and get some of DD's toys out of the living room and into her bedroom. Ugh it seems like so much and it all needs to be done in succession.

ruby696

@m6agua I think the feeling that I failed.is part of the issue. I was running 3ish miles 3-5 times a week and going to the gym regularly before starting IVF, so it's hard to not feel like I've done something wrong. Thanks for your post - that makes me feel better. And FX I pass my GTT next week!

pirateduck

@ruby696 I was very active prepregnancy as well and I find it shocking how little I can muster up the strength and energy to do things now. It makes me feel like I’m failing at life.  Sometimes health changes are out of our control and it’s hard to deal with emotionally/mentally when our picture of our ideal physical health is so different from our reality.   All I wanted to do today was go to yoga and I’ve been in bed all day and called out of work.  Pregnancy is hard.  Our bodies are no longer our own and we don’t have as much control over that as we would like.  I’m dreading my glucose test tomorrow, I’m having a hard enough time finding things I actually want to eat now without restrictions.

emlettuce

Weeks/EDD/How many times a mom? 27+5/May 3rd/1 DS

Previous loss(es)? MMC April 19

How are you feeling? Emotionally & physically? 
So tired which is a big problem because Feb and March are shaping up to be there busiest of the whole pregnancy and it's really starting to stress me out. So much to do to prepare for babes and I've done nothing, I could really use some of that nesting instinct to kick in.

Any appointment updates? 
Had an appointment yesterday. Because of my history of preeclampsia I get growth ultrasounds and appointments every three weeks. Also had my glucose test and got the results in my app this morning that I passed so I had a handful of gummy bears in celebration

Rants/Raves/Questions? I wrote in the randoms on Monday that I woke up with pink eye which urgent care confirmed but overall it's not been as bad at the last time I had it so... Yay I guess?

Any milestones coming up? If I'm induced a week early like I was for DS there's a good chance I'll be giving birth on the anniversary of my D&C and I'm not sure how I feel about it. But really the entire month of April was awful last year and I hope this baby can redeem the month.

pirateduck

@emlettuce this is a new baby and a new year.  I hope your past doesn't haunt you too much.  It's crazy to think that some of you ladies on our BMB are scheduling inductions and c-sections already and know when your babies will arrive!  Congrats on passing your glucose test too, I have mine in a few hours.

emlettuce

@pirateduck good luck on your test! I was really nervous since I know my health is not where it should be.
Also I think @shamrocandroll said that winter pregnancies are slow but I feel like it's been flying by and May is just around the corner.

queenklau

Hello ladies, 

@pirateduck, thanks you for starting this thread! Did you meet your new OB?

@ruby696, agree with others above, GD has so many causes and most are beyond our control. One of my best friends had GD and was the healthiest person I knew! It may end up being an inconvenience for the next few months. I failed my GS last time, but passed the 3 hr one, wait until you get the results and go from there.

@m6agua, I am loving the movement, I am much more relaxed this pregnancy so I am enjoying every little kick!

@shamrocandroll, STM here too, feeling everything lower/heavier much sooner than I did with my first.

weeks/how many times a mom: 24w3d, STM (DD1 is 3)

Previous losses: 2 MMC at 10 weeks in 2015, CP Dec 2018

How are you feeling emotionally/physically: I feel well overall, tired once at home, being pregnant with a toddler is a whole other ball game. My office mate managed to drag me to yoga with her, so I feel energized from last night!

Any appt. updates: I-had my 24 week appt this morning, nobody told me that I would be doing my glucose screen, but they agreed that I could bump up my 28 week and have it done at 27 weeks instead. Everything was measuring on track. Only annoying piece of news is that I may have a UTI...I’ll find out in a few days. They asked me if I was having UTI symptoms, I was like “well I pee all the time and have a lot of pressure down there...sounds like pregnancy to me, but could also be a UTI”

Rants/raves/questions: Feeling this little one move is so wonderful, it gets me through the work day. Rant...I hope I don’t have a UTI. 

Milestones: Passed them all! I don’t know why, but I want to celebrate the third trimester mark next, it feels like a good next check-point.

ieles2531

Weeks/EDD/How many times a mom? 

27+4, May 4, 1 DD who is almost 5 (!!!!!)

Previous loss(es)? 
Neonatal loss February ‘19

How are you feeling? Emotionally & physically? 
Physically I’m just uncomfortable, baby boy is already 2lb 15oz and he’s SO LOW. I feel like I’m going to deliver every time I stand up!
Emotionally this has been a difficult month for me. Our one year anniversary of his birth is on Feb 14 and death on Feb 17. I’m irrationally angry because instead of planning a first birthday party, I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to get through the weekend. 

Any appointment updates? 

They’ll do another echo at 33 weeks, but everything looks good so far. 

Rants/Raves/Questions? 

This heartburn needs to chill, and so does my 4.5 year old!

Any milestones coming up? 
Just the previous ones mentioned. My last will be 32 weeks, which is when we got our diagnosis last time. 

ruby696

@ieles2531 ❤❤❤

pirateduck

I feel like there were numerous things in this thread I wanted to reply to, but now it's a day or two later and my brain isn't working.  I met my new OB.  She seems very thorough and seems to know what she's doing/talking about.  I'm not in love with her (yet) but I didn't have any problem with her at all, so all good on that front.  Did my glucose test yesterday, still waiting for results to come through.  They did a CBC as part of it, and I got that in the portal already, so hopefully I get the glucose part soon.  @queenklau I hope you get your glucose results before the weekend!

I have now surpassed 200 lbs, I don't know whether to laugh or cry, I knew I would at some point in pregnancy, but to put a number on it makes me feel even larger even though I know I am still a healthy weight for me and if the doctors are not concerned, I should not be concerned, pregnancy weight changes mess with your head though, like I know I'm supposed to gain weight and should be happy because my weight gain is consistent with what it should be per week since my last appointment, but it's still hard to swallow the number I see on the scale sometimes as it keeps going up.

@emlettuce good point about winter pregnancies, I think that's what's messing with my head more than anything, I can't do my regular winter activities and when I get home from work it's dark and I don't spend my usual time outside, and things are dragging in general. 

m6agua

@ieles2531 I'm sorry about the hard dates coming up. I hope you can take some time for yourself around the hard dates.  I am also feeling uncomfortable because baby boy is so low for me too.

@pirateduck Ugh the number on the scale is so difficult.

ieles2531

@pirateduck @emlettuce yeah...but imagine being pregnant in 97 degree heat with 95% humidity for four months of the year. I’m so glad all three of my pregnancies were winter!

pirateduck

@m6agua it really is, I'm ok with the fact that my clothes don't fit right and when I look in the mirror and see how my body is growing and changing, but somehow when I put that number with it I'm more concerned.  Ugh.  Ok, I'm done ranting about that now.  It will all be good in due time.

shamrocandroll

@ieles2531 My heart aches for you as you get through these tough milestones.  I hope you're able to do something nice for yourself, and remember it's okay to feel everything you're feeling.  Big hugs!

@pirateduck The weight thing is so hard.  I'm being told I"m not gaining what they'd like to see, so I have to go in for extra growth scans, yet at the same time, I'm listed as "overweight" in my charts.  Which my OB told me last time pretty much everyone is by 3rd tri.  But I feel like you just can't win sometimes.  Try to keep in mind all of the amazing things your body is doing, and stay kind to yourself.  

pirateduck

@shamrocandroll that's confusing, because I thought if you are "overweight" or start out higher than ideal that you aren't expected to gain as much either.  I think there's such a huge range of "normal" for women in pregnancy that they just don't know.  As long as baby measures a good size, that's the most important thing.

shamrocandroll

Yup.  My first pregnancy, I was told 10-20 lbs weight gain was my target, and I came in at 11 total and my OB was thrilled with that.  Now this time I started out at a slightly higher weight and lost weight in the 1st tri again and only just started to gain it back, and my OB is slightly concerned.  She said it's just out of abundance of caution since this is similar to my first pregnancy and he was almost 9 lbs.  She's not judgmental about it and assures me she's not overly concerned, but it's still tough!  

queenklau

@pirateduck, I didn't end up doing the GS. I scheduled my glucose screen for my 27 week appt (24 weeks and a few days now). I am still waiting for my urine test for a possible UTI though! I hope that get the result soon, I don't want to let it linger if i indeed have one...

pirateduck

@ieles2531 that’s why I live somewhere that the record high is in the neighborhood of 81 degrees!