Late Term Loss, Stillbirth, Infant Loss and Toddler Loss support group

[jennylou]

This thread is for those moms who have lost a child - through late term loss, stillbirth or infant loss. We have members who have had their rainbow babies, pregnant members, members ttc and those that are not ttc. Each of us bring a unique perspective on loss and all are welcome. If you have lost a baby, please feel free to jump in and introduce yourself. Our group has become a bit like a family, we laugh with each other and we cry with each other - and although we hate that it happens to anyone else, we welcome you with open arms.

Our Members:

ali_ohli
Angel baby - loss at 22 weeks
Cause: ultimately due to an infection of the amniotic fluid. The doctors believe I may have cervical incompetence, which could have led me to dilate and opened me up to infection, but it's not really a clear-cut case of anything.

amygrrl
me: 36
DH: 34
Married: 2/15/03
TTC: 02/05/03
Angel Baby: Avery born still on 6/3/05 at 28 wks
Rainbow Baby: Malin our little miracle born on 4/3/06
Cause of loss: unknown. hospital misplaced the autopsy paperwork so no investigation into the cause of death was ever done.
Other issues: PCOS, IVF alumni, 3 embries on ice

Astro
Me: 39
DH: 37
Married: 9/03
Children: Alex and Ryan 9/05/05 stillborn at 16 weeks 1 day
Cause of loss: One of the placenta's separated from the uterine lining. Probably related to hematoma and bleeding in the first trimester.
Miscarriage: 5/06

clzj
Me: Lynn 32
DH: Charles 32
Married: 6/8/02
DS: Isaiah 4/24/03
Angel baby: 10/26/05
Cause: pinched cord

Ericka_Jarett - Ericka, 32
DH: Jarett, 28
Married: December 14, 2001
Angel: Rebekah Joy, born April 18, 2005 at 24 weeks, with us 71 mins.
Cause of Loss: chorioamnionitis (placenta infection), possible cervical incompetence as well
Pregnant Again: January 30, 2006
Rainbow Baby: Easton Robert born 9/5/06


goldengbridge
Jen, 25
DH:Miguel, 28
Married 9/6/03
TTC: 8/03
Children: Andrew, 22 months and the light of my life!
Angel Jacob, born sleeping on 4/3/06, (18w 4 d) Cause of death was unknown but his cord was wrapped around his body tightly 3 times. We know for sure he was healthy because I was high risk with Jacob's pg because of Andrew's heart defect. I had just had an u/s 2 weeks before Jacob passed away which showed he was healthy.
It's a Girl! EDD 3/12/07

Jeggink
me: 33
DH: 33
Married: 9.28.02
DS: 9.23.04
Angel Baby: Kayla Anne born on 11/27/06 at 19w3d.
Cause of loss: Unbalanced Translocation of Chromosomes, genetic, but not from us, just a fluke.
Other issues: 2 m/c in Jan 06 and April 06, unknown reasons

jenahdawn
DH: 27
Married: 7/26/02
Angels: Catherine (Katie) Rose and Chloe Dawn, b/d 9/27/06

jennylou
Me: 27
DH: 36
Married: 9/20/03
Angel: Andrew Wyatt 5/20/05-5/22/05
Cause of loss: SIDS
Other children: Our vbac and Rainbow baby, Nora 8/10/06

jessie
Me: 26
DH: 31
Married: 5/13/02
Children: Bailey- 11/22/99, Rainbow Baby Chelsea - 05/05/05
Angel: Joshua - Born still at 38w on 3/28/04
Cause of loss: Massive fetal/maternal hemorrhage

Kimmiebride
me: 40
DH: 41
Married: 07/01
TTC: 08/02
Angel: Robert stillborn at 17w3d
Cause of loss: membranes not fused on right side that caused complications from amnio, and premature rupture of membranes
Other issues: Factor V Leiden and MTHFR clotting disorders discovered after the birth
Pregnant!

LDS Angel 19
Me: Michelle, 23
DH: Aaron: 24
Married: September 4th, 2004
Angel: Allison Grace, June 17th, 2005 22wks, 6dys.
Cause of Loss: "Unknown". I've had one Dr say it could be my cervix, but my current Dr said my cervix looks fine.
TTC: September 2005
Miscarriage June 06
Taking a break until September 2006
Pregnant with twins!

Lisa
Me: 26
DH: 25
Married:6.28.02
Angel: Lauryn Grace 2.28.05-7.2.06
Cause of loss: RSV-but she has an underlining Possible genetic disorder/birth trama
Other children: DS:light of my life- Ethan 6.17.03 and how knows God willing another one soon!
Pregnant! Baby July 12 2007

Myangelsvw
Me: 34
DH: 34
Married: 9/1/02
Angels: Vincent and William, b/d 2/6/06
Cause of loss: Prematurity (preterm labor caused by infection)

sophiapb
Me: Sophia, 39
DH: John, 32
Married: 5/18/02
Children: Alexa 5/26/05
Angel: Alexander 5/26/05-stillborn at 36 weeks 6 days
Cause of loss-Stated as unknown although Alexander had an umbilical artery close around 27 weeks resulting in slowed down growth
Pregnant again!
EDD: 12/24/06
Gender: Surprise!
ADD: 12/4/06, the surprise is twins!
At 10:51 AM, Corinne Victoria was born weighing 6 lbs, 6 ozs and measuring 19 inches.

Spellbound
Me: Jude, 32
DH: Patrick, 33
Married: 09/25/04
DS: Keegan 03/09/06 (born 32 weeks)
Angel baby: 09/14/06 (16 weeks)
Cause: PPROM (pre-term premature of membranes)

Sully130
me: 30
DH: 32
Married: 06/02
TTC: 07/04
Children: DD born still on 4.22.05 at 23 weeks
Angel Baby: miracle baby, my DS, born 4.20.06 after 20 weeks of bedrest following my water breaking (PPROM, which was spontaneous) at 16 weeks; also had an early m/c in 7/04
Cause of loss: fatal condition caused by spontaneous genetic mutation

[jennylou]

Heaven's Child: Recovering From the Loss of an Infant (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0595281834/qid=1152372230/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-9700458-3510440?s=books&v=glance&n=283155)

Gone Too Soon: The Life and Loss of Infants and Unborn Children (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1555036554/qid=1152372230/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-9700458-3510440?v=glance&s=books)

Trying Again: A Guide to pregnancy After Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Loss (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0878331824/qid=1152372230/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/002-9700458-3510440?v=glance&s=books)

Coping With Infant or Fetal Loss: The Couples Healing Process (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0876306946/qid=1152372230/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/002-9700458-3510440?v=glance&s=books)

Hope is Like the Sun: Finding Hope and Healing After Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Infant Death (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0974869961/qid=1152372512/sr=1-24/ref=sr_1_24/002-9700458-3510440?v=glance&s=books)

Empty Crade, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1555913024/ref=pd_sim_b_2/002-9700458-3510440?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155)

We Were Gonna Have a Baby, But We had an Angel Instead (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0972424113/ref=pd_sim_b_2/002-9700458-3510440?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155)

Mommy, Please Don't Cry : There Are No Tears in Heaven (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159052151X/ref=pd_sim_b_3/002-9700458-3510440?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155)

I'll Hold You in Heaven (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830732594/ref=pd_sim_b_5/002-9700458-3510440?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155)

[jennylou]

SHARE (http://www.nationalshareoffice.com/)

March of Dimes (www.marchofdimes.com)

The Compassionate Friends (http://www.compassionatefriends.org)

A Place To Remember (http://www.aplacetoremember.com/)

Parents of Multiples Forever (http://www.erichad.com/pom/index.htm)

M.E.N.D. (http://www.mend.org)

When Your Baby is Stillborn (http://www.wisc.edu/wissp/when.htm)

[jennylou]

Baby Photo Retouching (http://www.babyphotoretouch.com/)

The American Child Photographers Charity Guild (http://www.acpcg.com/mission.htm)

[jennylou]

Our first thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=5792)

We're open for posting now. :)

If you have anything you'd like me to add - books, websites, etc, please share.

[Ericka_Jarett]

thanks Jenny for starting the new thread.

I posted an update on the last thread. Quick recap: 27 weeks and cervix opened inside a bit more than last appt and it's also starting to funnel. Ring is still holding tight though. On bedrest pretty much full time now. Another appt in 3 weeks to check progress and probably will get the steroid shots after that appt.

[Astro]

Jenny, Thanks for starting a new thread.

Ericka, Good luck on bedrest. I hope the ring continues to hold. :)

nothing new here...

[sophiapb]

Oooo, we have a new thread! As a suggestion for this thread, can we have a roster or was there a specific reason why we didn't have one for the original thread?
I had my 16 week check up on Thursday and all looks well. My doctor wants me to take a glucose test on Wednesday even though I didn't have a blood sugar problem last time or have any kind of history but oh well. I don't mind having the doctor be extra cautious this time so bring it on!
I'll be scheduling my 20 week U/S for the beginning of August. I honestly have no interest in finding out the sex (so different from the first time when that's all I wanted to know!) as long as everything is where it's supposed to be and everything is good. However, DH is chomping at the bit to find out the sex so I will be revealing the news here in four weeks. Stay tuned!

[jennylou]

Sure we can have a roster, if that's what folks want. Just post your stats and I'll add them to the first post. :)

[Ericka_Jarett]

Ericka_Jarett - Ericka, 32
DH: Jarett, 28
Married: December 14, 2001
Other children: Rebekah Joy, born April 18, 2005 at 24 weeks, with us 71 mins.
Cause of Loss: chorioamnionitis (placenta infection), possible cervical incompetence as well
Pregnant Again: January 30, 2006
EDD: October 4, 2006
Gender: It's a Boy

[sophiapb]

sophiapb
Me: Sophia, 39
DH: John, 32
Married: 5/18/02
Children: Alexa 5/26/05, Alexander 5/26/05-stillborn at 36 weeks 6 days
Cause of loss-Stated as unknown although Alexander had an umbilical artery close around 27 weeks resulting in slowed down growth
Pregnant again!
EDD: 12/24/06
Gender: Will find out August 7

[myangelsvw]

My computer has been down since Sunday, so I come back on this morning and was surprised our thread had been so quiet. :p Thanks for starting a new thread, Jenny! I promise I will give input to the first few posts, but it may have to wait until after we get settled into our house.

myangelsvw
Me: 34
DH: 34
Married: 9/1/02
Children: Vincent and William, b/d 2/6/06
Cause of loss: Prematurity (preterm labor caused by infection)

sophia - Glad to hear everything looks good. And good luck with the sugar water today. Can't wait to hear the news on the 7th!

ericka - Sorry to hear about the full time bedrest. Hope you're managing to stay entertained.

astro - Hey, you! Not much longer! DH was saying on the way to our transfer how strange the FET is. For him in particular, I think it kind of came out of nowhere.

[Astro]

Astro
Me: 39
DH: 37
Married: 9/03
Children: Alex and Ryan 9/05/05 stillborn at 16 weeks 1 day
Cause of loss: One of the placenta's separated from the uterine lining. Probably related to hematoma and bleeding in the first trimester.
Miscarriage: 5/06

Myangelsvw Wow! you guys are already doing the transfer. I'm very excited for you and your DH. We hope to be doing the same thing next month. :)

[Kimmiebride]

Kimmiebride
me: 40
DH: 41
Married: 07/01
TTC: 08/02
Child: Robert stillborn at 17w3d
Cause of loss: membranes not fused on right side that caused complications from amnio, and premature rupture of membranes
Other issues: Factor V Leiden and MTHFR clotting disorders discovered after the birth

Hola Chicas! Sorry I have been AWOL... big weekend of weddings, and just exhausted trying to keep up. I have doctor's appointments with both my docs over the next couple of weeks. I think they are planning to reduce my dosage of rat poison. I will be soooooo happy, and hope I don't end up with any more clots. I just want to feel like me again! (not to mention losing some of the 15 pounds I have gained while on the meds. I hate RAT POISON!

Had a great lunch last week with MelissafromNC, and am pretty sure it's also time to stop fooling around (no pun intended) and get back to my RE. I seemed to think it was going to be easy to get pregnant again, but it's been 3 months, and I am not getting any younger. I still have some Repronex hanging around, so I will try a cycle or two of injectibles, and see if we have some luck. AF is due next Friday.
Gotta get to bed... sorry no shouts!
Kimmie

[amygrrl]

i didn't even realize there was a new thread until today when i went to post on the old one to ask how everyone is doing... yup... i'm retarded!

amygrrl
me: 36
DH: 34
Married: 2/15/03
TTC: 02/05/03
Children: Avery born still on 6/3/05 at 28 wks; Malin our little miracle born on 4/3/06
Cause of loss: unknown. hospital misplaced the autopsy paperwork so no investigation into the cause of death was ever done.
Other issues: PCOS, IVF alumni, 3 embries on ice

[myangelsvw]

Kimmie - Good for you on heading back to the RE! I hope it brings you all the luck you could ever want. As for your choice to go sans RE for the last few months, I think it's totally normal to think/hope that it'll be easier the second time around. After all, you hear all those stories to that effect. Heck, even my OB gave me that little pep talk. And of course, it could still very well happen. But I'm glad you're getting proactive. That's good news. :D

amy - Glad to know I'm in good company as a dork. ;)


Me? Nothing exciting. Packing and waiting. Packing and waiting.

[SailorJenny]

Hello to all, a girl on another message board recommended this board to me. My name is Jenn, and I'm 26, my husband Marc is 35. Our son, Gregory Ian died last month in utero. I was a high risk pregnancy - I'd had a previous miscarriage, bleeding early in this pregnancy, and then I was diagnosed with a two vessel cord at my twenty week ultrasound. I was going for monthly ultrasounds to make sure that the baby was growing properly and that the single artery was compensating for the missing one. At 33 weeks we got in a car accident, rear ended a guy at 40 miles per hour, the air bags deployed. I was taken to the hospital because I was having contractions and couldn't feel the baby move. In the ambulance, I was begging God to not let the baby die, that I could handle it and learn to live with it, but that my husband would be burdened by the guilt of it all, and wouldn't be able to live with that. I left L&D two days later full of steroids, with a bruised belly, and a broken hand. I didn't care, I was just elated that the baby was healthy and ok. On Friday night, June 16th (36 weeks), I realized I hadn't felt the baby move since early that morning. I tried my home doppler, but had trouble finding his heartbeat, but I chalked it up to the battery being old because it was having trouble picking up my heartbeat. The next morning, we still had trouble finding his heartbeat after my husband replaced the battery. I couldn't get the baby to move no matter what I tried - juice, loud music, poking him. My OB told me to go to L&D, where they confirmed that our baby had passed away. He was delivered via c-section that afternoon, and the doctor discovered that his umbilical cord had become wrapped around his neck very tightly three times. It was also much thinner than normal because it was missing an artery. We had asked our families to come to the hospital, so that everyone could hold him and see him. When the nurse brought him to me, I have never been so proud. He was so beautiful, he looked just like my husband. We had a full Catholic Mass funeral for him the following Saturday, and buried him with my grandfather, so that he'd always be with family.

The last month has been the hardest time of my life. My due date was this past Wednesday, and Marc and I went to the cemetery for a little while. The wife of a man my husband works with delivered a healthy baby yesterday, and Marc is in so much pain, but doesn't deal with it the same way I do. We are working hard to not let this come between us, and trying to be understanding of each other's grief, and come out of the other side of this together. We both have been dealing with some feelings of guilt and asking what if. I am so grateful that Gregory's death was not a result of the car accident, but I wonder if that had anything to do with the way his cord wrapped around him, or if it was us having sex the night before that caused him to shift in such a way that he could not escape the cord, or if it was a flaw in my body that caused him to have a funky cord to begin with. Rationally, I know that there was nothing I could have done and no way I could have known that anything was wrong, so I keep trying not to beat myself up when that little nagging voice in the back of my mind taunts that as his mother and his only lifeline, I should have known and fixed it. There are so many feelings of helplessness, sadness, guilt, and anger, that most days I'm still not sure exactly what I'm feeling. I do know that I have hope for so much.

I am returning to work on Monday, and looking forward to going back to the mundane a bit, but with it comes a whole new set of worries. I'm lucky that I'll mostly be working from home, and the people I work closely with are all very supportive, but I'm still feeling anxious. Physically, I'm healing well, and I'm looking forward to my six week appointment so that I can have sex again - it feels like a slap in the face not to be able to have sex when my husband and I need each other the most.

I want to say that I read your entire other post in the last couple of weeks, and that while you didn't know it, you have helped me to heal so much already. I feel stronger knowing that other people have been standing where I am, and find the strength to accept tragedy and learn to live with it. It gives me great hope. Thank you guys so much.

[sophiapb]

Oh crap, Jenn, I'm so sorry for you and your DH that you lost your son. I'm so happy that the other thread was able to help you. It makes such a difference to know that there are people out there who can understand the pain you are going through.
I read your post and was nodding at points because your story is pretty similiar to mine with the closed umbilical artery and the couple of days of trying to get the baby to move. The last time I felt my son move when I knew for sure it was him was a Tuesday night in the 36th week. He had been pretty inactive all day and so I poked him and was relieved to feel him curl up against my hand. That was it, he never moved again although I didn't know it at the time. I can't tell you how many times I've relived that moment and punished myself for not knowing that he needed help and doing something. Out of all the memories of my pregnancy, that's the one memory that is guaranteed to bring me to tears (like now). It does get less painful with time and I've stopped blaming myself but it still hurts.
I also didn't realize that the umbilical cord is thinner with a closed artery but that makes sense. Alexander came out with his cord wrapped around his body. I never understood why that seemed to be a major concern but I guess that with a thinner cord, it would have the same effect as if it had been wrapped around his neck. Basically, the cord would be compressed to the point that nutrients and oxygen couldn't flow through. Ugh, it's awful.
Jenn, I'm glad you found us here and can get some support. I'm sure others will chime in with input that's not as self-centered as mine. :o

[myangelsvw]

Jenn - I'm so very sorry that you have to be here and that Gregory is gone. It's unfair. Truly. But I'm glad you posted and that the other thread was helpful to you. It sounds like you're doing all the "right" things. I think it's wonderful that you encouraged everyone to hold Gregory and see how perfect he was. (something I really wish I'd been able to do) And of course, talking with others who've been there can be such a comfort. As for feeling guilty, that's a tough one to deal with. I think we've all felt it at times, and sometimes I almost prefer it to feeling like there was nothing I could have done. But, you can't blame yourself. You were clearly doing everything you could to keep Gregory healthy and growing. It doesn't make it easier, but of course it wasn't your fault. And as for acceptance, well, I'm not there yet. Nowhere close. I suppose that's not very encouraging. It is "better" than it was, but I don't know if that's saying all that much. And nothing is remotely the way it *should* be, nor will it ever be. I heard a quote from a book (caveat: that I haven't read) that was something along the lines of "you can only survive such a tragedy for so long, and 80 years is a very long time.[/inaccurate quote] We will always miss our children, and for better or worse I think we're all still in the early stages of learning how to live with that. I'm glad to have such supportive people to learn with and from along the way. Feel free to share whatever you want to -- good days, bad days, whatever -- we've got some very good listeners.

[goldengbridge]

Jen- I am so sorry about Gregory's passing. You have come to the right place. I lost my son in April and these girls have been so supportive and wonderful. ((Hugs)) Let us know if you need anything.

My stats

Jen, 25
DH:Miguel, 28
Married 9/6/03
TTC: 8/03
Children: Andrew, 22 months and the light of my life!
Angel Jacob, born sleeping on 4/3/06, (18w 4 d) Cause of death was unknown but his cord was wrapped around his body tightly 3 times. We know for sure he was healthy because I was high risk with Jacob's pg because of Andrew's heart defect. I had just had an u/s 2 weeks before Jacob passed away which showed he was healthy.

[jennylou]

Jenn - I am so sorry for the loss of your son, Gregory. I'm also glad that you were able to find our last thread helpful, and that someone directed you here. I hope you find us to be a good support for you. It's not easy. Even though it's been over a year, it's still tough for us sometimes. We went to a picnic today, and an acquintance that we know had her daughter there - she's a few weeks younger than what Andrew would be. And when we got home, my husband told me that he could tell it sort of bothered me, but that he's glad that it doesn't send me immediately over the edge anymore (in the early days, this would have sent me home in tears immediately). So, things get better, or perhaps our coping skills are a bit better - who knows. And now, I'm going to tell you something else....don't worry about waiting that six weeks. It may be an unpopular opinion, but I don't really think Drs expect us to wait that long. I've heard the saying that they tell us six weeks, hope for four and expect two. I had a c/section as well and I think we waited just over a week (when everyone went home, I think it was the next day). We needed the reconnection as husband and wife, and it's not something that I regret at all. So, if you two want to do it, I say, take it easy and just go with it.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Jenn - I'm sorry you had to find us. I agree with Jenny, the doctor actually was having me back for a 4 week appt, I ended up going in at 2 weeks before a trip. I asked my OB at the 2 week appt about sex, she said she would prefer 4 weeks but if I wasn't bleeding and felt up to it at that time, she was ok with it. Cry when you need to, vent at anytime you want on here and know that we are all here and understand the many emotions at your loss. Hugs to you

My daughter, Rebekah, also had a 2 vessel cord. I didn't find that out until about my 14 week u/s (I had it to date my pregnancy, since that is when I realized I was pregnant) They said that didn't cause her passing, it was a placenta infection instead caused by possible incompetent cervix & diabetes (both diagnosed in my present pregnancy). I have days that I miss my daughter terribly and can't stop thinking about her, although she is always in my mind and I see her picture every day on the tv stand. I just sat and cried the other day, missing her terribly and just feeling very alone and depressed. It's been over a year already, hard to believe time flying so fast.

[Kimmiebride]

Jenn, I am so sorry to hear about your son, Gregory. I echo everyone's sentiment, and say that while we're sad you and your husband have to endure this pain, we are glad you found us, and feel free to lean on us as much as you need to. It still hits me out of nowhere from time to time, like when I was photographing a wedding last weekend, and saw this adorable baby boy. I overheard the mommy proudly saying he was born in April, and I realized that Robert would have been his age. All choked up, and had to really gulp hard to fight back the tears. We are all works in progress...
Warm hugs,
Kimmie

[Sully130]

Jenn - I'm so sorry for the loss of your precious son, Gregory. I, too, remember all too well those feelings of "how does the earth keep turning?" after losing my daughter. It does seem wrong how things keep going even though your world has stopped. It takes time, but the days will get easier. I can't promise you that you will ever be "over it" -- I don't think any of us ever will -- but you will find peace with it and you will get through it. Grief is a process, and grief is a journey. And the only way to get through it is to travel the road. I'm just so sorry you have to do it. I hope you can find helpful support here.


~~~~~~~

I've neglected to join the new thread yet. Frankly, I try to be a bit more private on this site since it's not (I'm much more forthcoming in LJ), I was hesitant about how much info I wanted to share. I just worry that years from now, this site will still be here. That's why I don't post pictures. Anyway...time to join.

Sully130
me: 30
DH: 32
Married: 06/02
TTC: 07/04
Children: DD born still on 4.22.05 at 23 weeks; miracle baby, my DS, born 4.20.06 after 20 weeks of bedrest following my water breaking (PPROM, which was spontaneous) at 16 weeks; also had an early m/c in 7/04
Cause of loss: fatal condition caused by spontaneous genetic mutation

[Kimmiebride]

:) hmmm.... who dropped this baton on my doorstep....... and it has two funny lines on it!!!!!!!!!

I had to tell you guys - please pray for us! We want to bring one home that's happy and healthy and grows up with us!

This is my gift from Robert. This is the same timing as last year, just a couple of weeks off... EDD 4/1/2007
Oh, please oh, please...
hugs,
Kimmie

[sophiapb]

OMG, OMG, OMG! Kimmie, I'm dancing here! Congrats, that is sooooooooooooo exciting! Oh lordy, let me try to get my blood pressure down a bit! What fabulous news!!!
:D :D :D :D :D :D

[Ericka_Jarett]

CONGRATULATIONS KIMMIE!!!!!!

The minute I read your news I said a prayer for you. I wish you a healthy pregnancy with a healthy perfect baby. Will be keeping you in prayer

[Sully130]

Congratulations Kimmie!!!! I'm so happy for you.

You know, I found out I was pregnant days before my due date for my angel daughter, and ended up giving birth two days before a year after she was born. In that way, like you feel this is a gift from Robert, I feel like that was her way of telling me it was okay and that it was a "gift" from her too. I know before you mentioned worrying about having another April due date, but I think it's great. I'm just so happy for you. :D I will say a prayer for you and that precious baby growing inside of you.

[Astro]

CONGRATULATIONS KIMMIE!!!!!!!!!!
I'm am so happy for you. :) Good job on the baton, please pass it on. I wish you a very healthy 9 months.

[Kimmiebride]

Thanks so much guys... I waver drastically between ecstatic and terrified! Went for a beta this morning, and have an appointment today at 4PM. Too early for an u/s, but I guess they have something in mind! I am off the rat poison, and on the injections starting tomorrow morning. I was so glad to have insurance when I picked up my first 2 weeks supply... the little thing on the receipt said your drug benefit saved you $1867. This little one shall be gold plated in Kaiser world! Don't care about that... just don't!

Baton's all yours Astro!! Did I tell you how much I love you guys??
Hugs,
Kimmie

[Astro]

Kimmie, I think your baby will end up coated in platinum. :) It's not my turn yet for the baton, but I think MyAnglesVW is next in line. You and your family will continue to be in our prayers, we'll just change them a bit for a nice rowdy healthy baby. :)

[goldengbridge]

CONGRATS KIMMIE!!! So exciting! Lots of prayers

[amygrrl]

yeah kimmie!!!!!!! - if this one's platinum plated, he/she can join malin in the club. i've been dealing with the hospital and insurance regarding all the bills from the multiple hospital stays, c section, and nicu... so far, they've billed the insurance something like $300,000! that doesn't include the 3 times a week i was at the dr before the bedrest, the nst's, or the weekly u/s. and malin's worth every penny.

[jennylou]

Woohoo! Yay Kimmie! I'm so excited for you. :D :D :D :D :D

I'm sending prayers up on your behalf. :)

[Kimmiebride]

Thanks guys!! You're the best!
My beta today was 83, and I am back in on Sunday for a repeat. It's CD 28, not really sure of O date, since I didn't chart this month. I had a positive OPK on Day 12. I am all set up with lovenox and progesterone, and will hopefully see the peri in about two weeks. They are all on it, and I feel really well cared for!!
Off to bed!
Kimmie

PS... OMG Jennylou, you are sooo close! Wow!

[jennylou]

PS... OMG Jennylou, you are sooo close! Wow!

What, 15 days? Nah, long time to go. :p :p :D j/k of course, these last weeks are flying by!

[amygrrl]

kimmie - that sounds like a WONDERFUL beta. did you guys do injectibles this time? if not, did you do anything different?

[Kimmiebride]

Amy, funny you should ask... I tested on Tuesday - 2 BFN's, and called the RE to set up an appointment to get the injectibles ball rolling. I told them my period was going to start any minute (crampy much?) and then it didn't. I expected it by Thursday for sure, and then when nothing was there I tested with those wonderful Answer Early tests you recommended. We were going to have to sit the next month out anyway, since my RE was out for 10 days, and they really wanted me to meet with her before I cycled again. Ironic, eh?
Anyway, the heat yesterday really knocked me out, and I am feeling really sleepy and crampy and a little bit queasy, which is different from last time. Could just be the progesterone supps... They have me on more than I was on last time. I'll take it any day!!
hugs to all,
Kimmie

[SailorJenny]

Congrats Kimmie! I am so happy for you! I'm saying lots of prayers.

Thanks for your kind words guys. I'm sad that anyone has to go through this, but I think this is such a wonderful, supportive group of ladies.

[Kimmiebride]

Jenn, how are you doing? I have been sending up prayers for you too! Be gentle with yourself, and keep us posted. We are totally here when you need us!

************************************************** *******
Update: Beta yesterday was 305, so it tripled in two days! U/S is scheduled for 8/9 when I will be 6w4d, and hopefully we will see a heartbeat. Probably getting one more beta on Wednesday, since they faxed over a lab slip for today, but the doc on Friday gave me one for yesterday, so I went then instead of trapsing over there again today.
Will keep you all posted, and thanks as always for all the prayers and positive thoughts!!
Kimmie

[LDS Angel 19]

HERE'S where you're all hiding! I thought everyone was on vacation or something! I don't have a whole lot of time but heres my stats:

LDS Angel 19
Me: Michelle, 23
DH: Aaron: 24
Married: September 4th, 2004
Angel: Allison Grace, June 17th, 2005 22wks, 6dys.
Cause of Loss: "Unknown". I've had one Dr say it could be my cervix, but my current Dr said my cervix looks fine.
TTC: September 2005
Miscarriage June 06
Taking a break until September 2006

I wanted to extend hugs and a sad welcome to SailorJenny. It's been a year since our loss and I don't know how I made it through the early months. Be gentle with yourself and do whatever feels right.

Kimmie, my jaw dropped! How amazing! I am so excited for you. I will keep you in my prayers.

Hi everyone else, I hope you're all well. I'm hanging in there I guess. AF checked in last week, which was a bit of a shock. Technically we're on hold until I go back and see my Dr in early September, but I don't think we'll be preventing or anything.

[clzj]

I just found you guys. We are still TTA. I asked my dh when we can start to try and he said the he is very fearful. I don't know how to take wih home about his fears. Hopefully we can resolve this issue. I still want to lose the weight first.

clzj
Me: Lynn 32
DH: Charles 32
Married: 6/8/02
DS: Isaiah 4/24/03
Angel baby: 10/26/05
Cause: pinched cord

[sophiapb]

Hi Lynn. I was wondering where you were. You haven't been on the threads for a while. I'm glad you found us here.

[Kimmiebride]

Hi Lynn,
Trying again is really scary. I remember the first month we did, and we were both pretty freaked out. We are now moving on to being freaked out about being pregnant again. This pregnancy is different than my last one though. But I am feeling every twinge and cramp, and trying to keep calm and de-stress.

Today I met with my hematologist, who is in charge of keeping me alive. She's a bit less concerned about the pregnancy, so I am glad I have a team where each doc is concerned about one of us in a different way. She ordered 6 blood tests, including my third beta, which I should have the results to sometime tomorrow. I am having some trouble with my shoulder (pinched nerve for a few months now) so I am bascially sleeping my way through these first days. I am saving my strength for my next big wedding weekend, which is back to back on 8/5 & 8/6!
later!
Kimmie

ETA: Beta yesterday was 1170, so things seem to be going well!

[Ericka_Jarett]

Hi ladies,

Seems like I haven't been on-line in forever and it's only been a few days.

I was put in the hospital on Tuesday and released today. I had an appt 8:30 am on Tuesday at the Peri's office. He wasn't in but they did my u/s anyway and said the doctor would call me after he reviewed my pictures. Well he didn't have to contact me. The heartbeat and growth of the baby are great, he is right on target at 30 weeks and they proceeded to do the cervical u/s. Well this is where bad news came in. My cervix was not seen at all, we found out at the hospital that I was completely thinned out and also 1 cm dilated. The pessary is holding still but I am still dilated per the doctor doing a manual exam at the hospital. I was found to have the start of a bacterial infection so on antibiotics for that now. I am on complete bedrest and as of this morning cervical check my cervix has less pressure on it now and a fingertip-1 cm dilated. I could stay 1 cm for the remainder or change each week 1 more cm. Doctor is going to have me in for cervical checks every week now until I deliver. He said I won't need u/s to check my cervix anymore since there is none there to check anymore. It will all be manual checks.

Peri feels really confident that I can reach at least 35 weeks and we are in the clear at that point if I do. So now looks like we could have an early Sept baby instead of early October baby, but that's ok as long as he is healthy and growing. I thanked hubby for staying with me for the last few nights at the hospital, he thanked me for all I went through. Told him I will do what I have to in order to bring home a healthy baby in a few weeks. I was given my 2 steroid shots (yikes did they hurt, one in the left butt and the other right thigh, since my sciatic on the right has been bothering me a lot lately.) Had an IV for fluids until yesterday and than it was taken out today (was capped for my shower yesterday morning) NICU doctor came in and talked to me about what would have been done if he comes before 34 weeks. If I delivered before 32 weeks it would be at the hospital I was at, if it's after 32 weeks I can deliver at my planned hospital. (The hospital I was at has the best NICU dept in the region)

Well more info is in my journal if interested , it's a recall of last few days. I feel comfortable now that I had the steroids and also knowing that he is at least 3 lbs, although NICU said it's best if he bakes inside until 35 weeks and about 4 1/2 lbs.

[Bubbas]

:) hmmm.... who dropped this baton on my doorstep....... and it has two funny lines on it!!!!!!!!!

I had to tell you guys - please pray for us! We want to bring one home that's happy and healthy and grows up with us!

This is my gift from Robert. This is the same timing as last year, just a couple of weeks off... EDD 4/1/2007
Oh, please oh, please...
hugs,
Kimmie

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I just wanted to tell you that I also got pg, the second time, a year after I got pg the first time (which ended in a loss), with a 2 week difference. I did have some scary moments with my second pregnancy but I now have a beautiful and healthy 21 month old son.

[Kimmiebride]

Jamie!! Great to see you! I can 't believe that your son is already 21 months old. Glad you're still checking in around here!!

Ericka, wow, sorry you were hospitalized! I am praying that that little guy stays put to 35 weeks and your infection is kicked by the antibiotics!! Glad you are feeling ok, and that you got the steroids. Take it easy honey!!

I have had the major queasies for the past couple of days. The nurse from my RE's office called and asked how I was yesterday, and when I told her that she said, "Good! That's really good news!" Also having pains in my ribs on my back, and my sternum. I am thinking perhaps it is related to the car accident I had last year, and now the joints are relaxing and that's what's causing the pain. I will probably see a chiropracter or physical therapist. I'd like that to go away so I don't have to concentrate on every little twinge and worry about that!
Kimmie

[Jessie]

No wonder I wasn't getting any notices!

I hope you don't mind me joining you.

Me: 26
DH: 31
Married: 5/13/02
Children: Bailey- 11/22/99 Joshua - Born still at 38w on 3/28/04 Chelsea - 05/05/05
Cause of loss: Massive fetal/maternal hemorrhage

CONGRATULATIONS Kimmie!!

Ericka- Sorry to hear you were hospitalized but glad to hear that baby is growing right on target! I had my DD at 35w3d (34w5d by my chart) and she was 6lbs6oz. They were surprised she was so big, the u/s showed she was smaller. They knew I would be having her early because of issues with my NSTs. I couldn't get the steroids and she was able to breath on her own right after birth. It's excellent that you got the steroid shots. I hope he stays put till 35 weeks!

[Ericka_Jarett]

How is everyone? It's been so quite in here lately.

I am 31 weeks today!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!

Kimmie - hope pregnancy is moving along nicely.

[Kimmiebride]

It has been quiet in here...

Jesse, good to see you in here!

Betas are still rising, yesterday was 6690, and I think that's for 26dpo. I am feeling nice and nauseous, crampy, and sleepy! (sounds like some disney characters...)

Ericka, way to go week 31!! only 4 more to go!!
Hugs,
Kimmie

[jennylou]

Still here and still pregnant - hoping to meet this baby girl any day - I'm 39w3d today.

[jennylou]

I should have everyone who has posted stats at this point updated. :)

[Ericka_Jarett]

so happy to hear it Kimmie.

Anyday now Jenny, i keep looking at the August thread for news.

At least 4 more weeks for us is what we are looking at. Would like 6 weeks better. We have our travel system now and I have my hospital bag packed and the carseat out of the box and ready to go with the extra headrest installed.

[goldengbridge]

Jenny- I'm so excited for you! Any day now! I wish you a quick and painless labor:)

Ericka-Praying the litte one hangs in there as long as possible!

I wanted to come in and share my news with you girls! I'm PG!!!! I saw the heartbeat yesterday! Everything looks good but its still early. I'm 8w 3d today. The OB told me I'll be followed by the Peri very very closely so that makes me feel better. I'm super excited and super scared!!! I dont know quiet how to handle the fear but I'm still in therapy and I'm sure the therapist will help with that. So any prayers and good thoughts would be very much appreciated! Thanks girls:)

[jennylou]

goldengbride - ACK! You've been holding out on us! :D Congratulations to you! Wonderful news! So, who wants that baton next? :) Thanks for the labor wishes!

[Sully130]

Goldengbridge - CONGRATS!!! I know it's a scary and happy time all at once but I hope you can calm the nerves and enjoy the pregnancy as much as possible. It should give you some peace of mind to know you'll be followed so closely. I wish you a very happy, healthy and COMPLETELY non-eventful 9 months!

Jenny - I know I don't need to tell you this, but I just keep thinking I'm going to log on and read the news of your little girl's birth! She must be awfully comfy where she is. :) I hope you have an easy labor!

Ericka - Congrats on making it so far. And I know from experience how tempting it is to want to get up and do things when you've been on bedrest for a while, but I hope you are still following the doctors orders and laying down all the time! Everything else will work out; my doctor kept reminding me how we really didn't need anything before the baby was born. We could always buy it right before he came home. I remember I really started to breathe a sigh of relief when I got to 32 weeks as that is time when the baby has the best chance for not having any issues. Some doctors say now it's more like 34 weeks. So keep on with the bedrest, it really works! I don't want to hear about you being in that hospital again until it's time for the baby to come. You hear? :) Hopefully you'll make it to term at 37 weeks!

Kimmie - I'm so glad to see that things are going so well for you.

Oops, baby crying, must run!

[Kimmiebride]

Goldengbridge!!! Congratulations! You're amazing to be able to keep a secret like that!

Jenny, smooth easy labor vibes!

Going back to bed now... this insomnia is kicking my butt a little bit!
Kimmie

[myangelsvw]

Well, I guess three's a charm. I'm a little afraid to post this, but looks like I'm also pregnant again. I think I'm something like 6w1d. Had my first beta a couple of weeks ago - just before we moved and I lost my internet connection. First u/s was Tuesday. I've been spotting a little since the u/s, so I'm pretty scared. Especially since that was my first sign that something was wrong with the boys. But the spotting isn't getting any worse and is totally brown, so that's good. Next u/s is a week from Tuesday where we will hopefully see the heartbeats. Oh yeah, did I mention that it looks like twins again? Fraternal this time, so MFM will be happy. Or happier, at the very least.

Congrats to kimmie and goldeng! Let's take next spring by storm!

Jenny - Hope she makes her entrance soon. There's a lot of folks looking forward to meeting her!

[jennylou]

ACK! Congrats myangelsvw! What an exciting day in this thread. Even though I'm still waiting for this little lady to make her appearance, reading news like I did this morning from both of you totally makes my day! :D :D :D

[Kimmiebride]

Myangelsvw!!!!! I just knew it!! I was going to put that in my post earlier, but decided that would be too bold! Sending baby dust to all our girls who are still trying, and "try to stay calm & positive" vibes to us newly pregnant mommies! It sure does feel great to have people who know what this feels like. I seriouslly don't know what I would do without you guys...
Kimmie

[goldengbridge]

MYangelsvw- OMG!!! TWINS!! CONGRATS!!!!

Thanks for the congrats ladies! It does look like we're going to take spring 06 by storm:D

[Ericka_Jarett]

WOW!!!! We go from no activity for a while to all this great news.

Congrats to goldengbridge and myangelsvw!!!!

This is so exciting. I can't stop smiling. A healthy happy pregnancy to all of you.

[SailorJenny]

Congratulations to goldengbridge and myangelsvw. That's such wonderful news!

[sophiapb]

Ya know, I take a little time to answer some personal e-mails and get some projects done at work (oh, THAT'S why they give me a paycheck) and this thread goes crazy! Two new pregnancy announcements. INSANITY! I think this is a sign that I should stay away from CC more often. ;)
Huge congratulations to goldengbridge and myangelsvw. Such fabulous news and I wish you both a wonderful, healthy and happy nine months!

Jenny, I keep waiting to see your birth announcement too. Huh, yeah, no pressure there! :D

Let's keep the good news coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sully130]

Oh, happy day!!! Congratulations myangelsvw! And twins again!!! I wish you nothing but a happy and healthy pregnancy!

[LDS Angel 19]

Wow, I'm with Sophia, I should stay away more too! Congrats to golden and myangelsvw! I'm praying for nothing but happy endings for both of you.

[chocolate_truffle]

As usual, I'm late to the party. :)

SailorJenny -- I'm so sorry for the loss of your son, Gregory. I'm glad you found this thread, and I hope you will find it as supportive as I have. This is a phenomenal group of ladies -- everyone here is so full of compassion, kindness, hope and understanding.

Big, Big, Big CONGRATULATIONS to goldengbridge and myangelsvw. It warms my heart to see such wonderful news.

Jennylou -- You're so close to meeting your little girl! I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

Ericka -- I've been following along in your journal. You're amazing. You are so strong and so grounded in your faith. It's truly inspiring.

Sully -- How are you and how is your beautiful little boy doing?

Kimmiebride -- EEEEE!!! I'm so happy for you, morning sickness, insomnia, and all! And, I speak from experience when I say April Fool's Day is a fabulous day to have a birthday!

Sophiapb -- Good to see you around! I'm glad to hear the pregnancy has been treating you well. I'm hoping your little one cooperates at your upcoming ultrasound. Chant with me -- Money shot! Money shot!

Hello to everyone else!

I've been reading along, but I haven't had time to post. It's been crazy over here in chocolate_truffle land. We've been busy entertaining family and friends, which has been exhausting. In all the excitement, I tripped going down the stairs and broke my big toe! I'm such a klutz!

In happier news, Brynna turned one yesterday! Over the weekend, we had a double birthday party for Brynna and my niece, Erika, at my ILs' house. We'll be having another birthday party at my parents' house next weekend. Did I mention my parents live 400 miles away? So, we'll be taking another road trip with the munchkin. Wish us luck!

Before I forget, here are my stats for the first page:

chocolate_truffle
Me: 31
DH: 31
Married: 06/21/97
DD: Sabrina, born still at 40w3d on 05/17/03
Cause of Loss: umbilical cord accident during labor
DD: Brynna Madeline, born on 08/02/05

I hope you ladies are doing well and I'll see y'all around...

[Ericka_Jarett]

Thanks so much for that compliment chocolate_truffle. Having my faith has really been my own way to get through the loss of Rebekah and the issues I have been faced with in this pregnancy. I thank the Lord for every issue and that I am seeing the end of the issues and will have a healthy baby in a few weeks. I have people asking me all the time how I can stay so calm with all that's going on, I tell them because of the Lord is going to see me through it.

Glad to hear you are doing well.

LDS - the baton gets passed to you in Sept girl :)

[amygrrl]

wow! i can't believe how much good news there is around here! honestly, it's the best ever when i see that someone here is pregnant!

[Kimmiebride]

http://www.drinkstreet.com/pics/drinks/ds-mojito.jpg

Just want to drop in and invite all of my girlies here to raise a glass... virtual virgin drinks for our pregnant mommas, and the rest of you can liven things up a bit! I am 41 today!! but my favorite part is that I am 41, and pregnant!! Cheers Everyone!
love,
Kimmie

[myangelsvw]

Happy Birthday, Kimmie! 41 and pregnant is great! :D Oh, and Jenny might appreciate it if you could explain to her little girl that today is a *great* day to born. I think she needs a little convincing to come out and say hello.

chocolate - And a happy belated birthday to Brynna, too! Was the driving trip last weekend or still to come? Hope it was or is smooth sailing.

amy - Wow. Hard to believe that it's only six months until you'll be trying again. Are you going to try naturally for a while or go straight to FETs?

As for me, yesterday was a little rough. It marked six months since William and Vincent were born. All I could think about was how I wish I'd held them longer. It's very interesting, though, because my grief has taken on a different tone. I feel like now, I'm grieving for William and Vincent whereas before I was grieving for them *plus* the loss of the opportunity to ever raise a child, which, given our fertility issues, was a real fear. Although there's certainly still a lot of fear surrounding bringing a baby home this time, I'm less afraid that the boys were my only shot. Yeah, it takes IVF, but IVF seems to work -- not every time, but last time wasn't a fluke.

[Ericka_Jarett]

http://img283.imageshack.us/img283/7488/glitteryourway28ff8fc965d7e96a24b89c92c1745e9eue7. gif

[SailorJenny]

Happy Birthday Kimmie!

I have two questions for you ladies. First - bikini hair removal: I had a c-section, and normally I'd shave, but I'm a bit afraid. My doctor was out last week and I still haven't seen him for my six week appointment, so I can't ask him until this week or next. I'm afraid that it could reopen the incision, or something worse. Any experience with this?

My second question is how long after you gave birth did you get your first PP period? I'm 7 weeks postpartum, and I'm sure it will show up at the last convenient time possible. I'm a little worried because we've had sex (finally!) and I don't want to get pregnant again right away, and we haven't started charting. I just want it to get here so I can start charting to avoid. My doctor told me he'd like me to wait six months, but not to freak out if I find out I'm pregnant at any point before then, because while the risks go up, they go up negligibly. Any higher risk after everything that has happened though, does not put my mind at ease, so I'd like to avoid it for a few more months.

[Astro]

Happy Birthday Kimmie and Congratulations MyAngelsVW

Jenny, It was quite a while before I got my first cycle pp. I think it was around 12 weeks after we lost the boys, and it was 12 weeks with the last miscarriage. My body's still trying to return to normal, cycles are anywhere from 35-45 days long now. I can't help you on the hair removal. I have no experience with c-sections.

[myangelsvw]

SailorJ - I got my first AF at 8 weeks pp. I was still bleeding at my 6 week check-up, so they did a brief u/s, where they measured a mature size follicle. So I'm fairly sure I ovulated right around that 6 week mark. Oh, and FWIW, I did chart starting at about 3 weeks pp, and it was a mess. I couldn't tell anything from it. But things looked normal again after my first AF.

So I'm officially a mess. The spotting stopped completely last Thursday and hasn't returned, but now my lower back is feeling a little stiff, so I'm freaking out about that. I had plenty of back aches with the boys, but they were all mid-back except for the last three days. I think the lower back pain was the first immediate sign that something was wrong although I didn't recognize it until later. I have another full week until our next u/s, and I'm so nervous. I suppose I could call the nurse for reassurance. Except, oh, right, she's not reassuring. Last week with the spotting, she told me I needed to pull myself together and ended the conversation while I was still sobbing. Not so helpful, really. :rolleyes:

[jennylou]

sailorJ - I had a c/s, but the only thing I shave down below is my bikini line (if I'm going swimming). And sometimes I'll use magic powder. But, since I couldn't swim until after my PP appt, I don't really have any answers. As for your other question....you have the greatest increase in fertility the six months following delivery. What sort of additional risks did your OB mention? Mine mentioned only pre-term delivery. I got pregnant just shy of the sixth month mark, and here I sit today - OVERDUE. I didn't think that would be possible (especially considering I went into labor with my son two days before my EDD, so it's not like I have a history of going overdue).

myangelsvw - I would suggest calling the Dr's office again. Ask to speak with the office manager and/or the Dr. You are certainly a special case and NO one should be hanging up on you while you're crying. If your Dr doesn't take you seriously, change Drs. My Dr has my chart all sorts of red flagged. If I'm ever freaked out, she's told me to call...they'll get me in for anything I want (which early on was betas, then u/s's). Now, if I call, she'd throw me on the NST in a heartbeat. The point is, she makes sure that I feel okay b/c if I'm nervous/stressed that's not good for the baby.

Happy Birthday kimmie!

chocolate - sorry about the toe!

Well, here I sit, past due. Blech. I'm ready to meet this baby girl!

[Kimmiebride]

Myangelsvw, oh, sweetie... they should never hang up on you when you're sobbing... You deserve more tlc than that, and I know it's hard when you're hormonal and worried to death to demand to be taken care of gently. I hope you can get some reassurance, and I agree with Jenny, if they can't, then switch docs if you need to. Sending you big hugs, and hoping you can find some peace. It's so hard... how can we not worry??

Jennylou, I was so wishing the little girl would debut on my birthday! August 7th is a cool birthday, but she's still being stubborn! I hope you're holding her soon!

SailorJenny, I lost Robert on 11/24 and had my first PP AF on 12/31. My cycles regulated pretty quickly to what they were before I was pregnant with him. We weren't allowed to TTC until April because they wanted me on the coumadin for 6 months, so we prevented until then.

Ericka, thanks for the pretty birthday banner, and everyone thanks for your birthday wishes! It was a great day, and my virgin mojitos hit the spot! Tomorrow is my u/s, and I am praying for a heartbeat! I had two big weddings over the weekend, and the queasies subsided for the most part because of the adrenalin of having to work. bbs are still sore, I am still a little crampy from time to time, and bloated like a whale, so I think all is going as it's supposed to. Also, my phone rang at 7AM yesterday, and it was my friend who is 41 and single has been doing injects and IUI's for the past 3 months, and she got her BFP!! We are due two weeks apart. I pray that everything continues along very well for both of us and our babies so we can enjoy making this journey together! I know it won't be easy for her without a partner. The guy she has been seeing for about 5 months isn't really interested in having children, and they have discussed what her plans were, but now I fear they will probably break up. It's a bummer, because he's a really nice guy. They have a big kayaking trip planned next month, and she's still planning on going. I hope the m/s leaves her alone enough to go - she won't have much opportunity to do stuff like that when she has her baby. Now I just wish she'd move back to SF so we can be closer together, and look at options for sharing child care people and stuff.

Last shout to Jennylou's daughter... Come out and play sweet pea!! We want to see pictures of your gorgeous face, and mommy & daddy can't wait to hold you!!
Kimmie

[Astro]

myangelsvw I agree with the others here. Call your Dr if you are worried. If the witch answers, ask to speak to someone else. Also, tell your Dr how the witch hung up on you. I'm sure the Dr would not approve of her treating people like that. Take care. We're sending positive thoughts your way.

[myangelsvw]

Jenny - That little one is really keeping us all on pins and needles now. I can barely leave my computer. :p As for the nurse, I should have specified that it's the RE nurse, so *hopefully* I won't have to deal with her much longer. They are notoriously rather awful. But I haven't officially been "released" to my MFM practice yet, so that's why I haven't called those nurses instead. I do expect them to be *much* better since they're much more used to dealing with folks in our position. I suppose I could call them now, but I'm scared to because then I'll have to say it's twins and then what if I lose one of them before the next appointment, etc.

Kimmie - Good luck tomorrow!

ETA - astro - See, now, this is my RE we're talking about. The one who, at my u/s last week, said two gestational sacs meant an "insurance policy" in case of miscarriage. (Unbelievable, no? I'm always so envious of folks with nice, supportive REs.) He'd totally side with his nurse. :P

[Ericka_Jarett]

Jenny - hope little miss decides to come out before the end of the week. We all want to see her.

Your welcome Kimmie, glad you liked it. Hope you saw that beautiful heartbeat today.

Me - Went to my peri appt, baby looks great he said, hb was 143, he weighs about 4 lbs, good news is if he came now he would be born at our local hospital instead of University of Penn, bet news is that my cervix is unchanged and still 1 cm so the Peri said, you don't need to see me anymore. He said 2 more weeks of bedrest and than I am free to do what I want. The pessary comes out between 34-36 weeks and he said he won't have to see me again unless I am 37 weeks just to do a size u/s since I have the GD. I am thrilled as you can imagine, 1 less doc to see (but I really like him) and knowing we are so close now that anytime between now and 8 weeks can be holding our son (most likely between now and about 4-5 weeks really) He said Congratulations and all I want is a baby picture, we said we will certainly send him one. Had he not been checking my cervix as early as he was, never would have known about my incompetent cervix (and what was another contributing factor to us losing Rebekah) I am just so happy, told hubby he can't know even how happy I am.

[LDS Angel 19]

SailorJenny Lets see... Alli was born 6/17 and my first PP AF was the first week of August... so... like 7 weeks. Everyone's diffrent, and you're probably right when you say she'll show up at the least convieant time. ;)

Happy belated b-day Kimmie, I hope you had a great day.

Ericka that is wonderful news!

I'm short on time as always, hi everyone else and I hope you're well.

And another shoutout for Jenny's little girl. All your virtual aunties can't wait to meet you, and you're driving your mama insane! Time to come out now! :D

Later girls!

[goldengbridge]

I'm trying to post using my user name and it keeps posting under a different name. WTH?? I have no idea whats going on. trying again....


Ericka- Thats great news! Hang in there a few more weeks little guy! Andrew's surgery in 4 weeks is at Children's Hospital of Philly! You're pretty close! BTW- thanks for the coupon:)

Jenny- Come on little girl! Can't wait to see you.

I got AF pretty quickly after I lost Jacob. 4 weeks I think.

I'm feeling pretty good. Just looking forward to my Peri appointment next Fri! Hope everyone is well!

[Kimmiebride]

Hi gang,
Just popping in with great news!! Measuring right on target, and saw and heard the heart beat!! Peri was great, and they are seeing me again in two weeks. I feel so well cared for, and the nurse said to call her anytime I had any questions or concerns even if it's the most stupid thing... there are no stupid questions or concerns! I'd post my u/s pic, but all you can see is the measuring thingies... next time!
All is good today!!!
Kimmie

[goldengbridge]

Congrats Kimmie! That is such great news!!!!

[SailorJenny]

That's great news Kimmie!:)

[Ericka_Jarett]

That is great news Kimmie

[Ericka_Jarett]

Just saw this on the August board, hope JennyLou you don't mind:

Eleanor (Nora) Grace was born today by vbac at 1:26 PM. Baby & mom are both doing well!


Congratulations JennyLou!

Welcome baby Nora!

[Kimmiebride]

Yay!! Congrats Jennylou, and welcome to the world Nora!!!
:)Kimmie

[clzj]

Sailour- I got my first pp AF at just under 6 weeks. I bleed really heavy. My fertility was back after the first AF. I was told that we could not try for 6 monthes also. This was my 2 c-section. I do shave my incission line all the time. I have never cut it open. I don't think I shaved it until after 6 weeks though. We have not started to try. I think I want to try in October. I need to lose some weight too.

JennyLou-congrats.

All the new pg moms-congrats

[myangelsvw]

Just popping in to say congrats to Kimmie for seeing the heartbeat, Jenny for the birth of Nora and Ericka for making it so far and being so close now!

As for us, I started bleeding again over the weekend and had a big scare Sunday morning, so they brought us in early. Lo and behold, we saw two heartbeats. I'm feeling the slightest bit more confident now, but I still just have lots of fears. I was kind of hoping I'd feel better until we got closer to 20 weeks, but not yet.

[Kimmiebride]

I don't speak from much experience, but I can't imagine not having fears... I guess it will just go with the territory for us after what we have all been through. Myangelsvw, sorry for the scare, and hooray for two heartbeats!! Hang in there, and remember your own personal cheering section is here with pom poms at ready!
Kimmie

[goldengbridge]

Congrats Jenny and welcome baby Nora!! Can't wait to see pictures!

I'll be back after my appointment with the Peri on Friday. 2 weeks to go till Jacob's due date:(

[jennylou]

Thank you for all the congrats. :)

Right now we are adjusting to life at home with little Nora. She seems to have her days and nights confused right now, but hopefully, that will get better soon.

Here's a picture of the happy family on her birth day:

http://images1.snapfish.com/3478939%3B7%7Ffp349%3Enu%3D3278%3E9%3B9%3E4%3B7%3E WSNRCG%3D3233%3A6%3C83%3B36%3Bnu0mrj

[goldengbridge]

Jenny- Beautiful! You're glowing! Looks like Nora has daddys hair:) Hope you are able to get the days and night thing figured out quickly!

[Kimmiebride]

Jenny!!! She's beautiful! Congratulations!!!!
hugs,
Kimmie

[sophiapb]

Gorgeous picture, Jenny. I'm so happy for you and your entire family. YAY! :D

[SailorJenny]

Jenny - Congratulations! She is absolutely beautiful!

[chocolate_truffle]

Jennylou -- Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. :-)

[myangelsvw]

Congrats, Jenny! Look how pink and adorable she is! So how does it feel to have her home?

[Sully130]

Jenny, I said it in your LJ and I'll say it again here, she is beautiful and you all look so rightfully happy. I'm so thrilled for you guys.

[Astro]

Jennylou Congratulations!
SailorJenny Hey there. I hope you're doing ok. The first few months were not easy, but I found comfort posting here and getting support from the women on this board. Hopefully work is going ok for you.

As for us, nothing new. We're quickly approaching the anniversary of our boys passing, and we find ourselves to be more emotional than usual. I think both of us figured we'd be pregnant by now. Other than that, nothing's really going on over here.

[myangelsvw]

astro - I've been thinking about you. Still no AF, huh? Unbelievable. I'm so incredibly impatient for you. We need to get you FETing!! Of course, I can also imagine that cycling around Ryan and Steven's birthday would be hard in its own way. Whatever happens, we're thinking about you and pulling for you.

[jennylou]

astro - thinking of you.

Thanks for all the congrats. :)

Nora is finally getting her nights straight, so I've actually been sleeping too. What a wonderful feeling that is! It's so great to finally have her home with us. Sometimes, I get a little sad though, I'll admit. I miss her brother so much and I don't think she'd be here (at least not yet), if I had Drew to chase around. The monitor keeps me sane, so yay for the monitor. :)

Hope everyone else is doing well.

[clzj]

This week my dh decided that we could go without protection while fertile. Last week I told him that we didn't need to use protection anymore. This a change from about 2 months ago. I guess we are offically seeing what happens.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Jenny - I totally understand what you mean that this little one wouldn't be almost here if we had Rebekah with us still. I told hubby last night. You know, what would have been Rebekah's b-day came and went and I was perfectly fine. But after getting in from Target last night to put on registry items, I got an e-mail that was titled, "Your baby is One" Was like thanks for the reminder of what should have been.

[myangelsvw]

Poem for astro entitled "Letter to astro's AF"

You torment us
with your tardiness
You've had your chance
Now with impatience we dance
Time's up, Aunt Flo
You need to visit astro
So she can enjoy some better company - that of her embryos!

(Yeah, ok, so the meter is a little wacky. But the sentiment stands.)

clzj - Congratulations! That's great that your DH feels a little more ready. Hope you get good news very quickly.

Jenny - Glad to hear the monitor is helping your peace of mind.

Ericka - What an upsetting email! And I can't believe they're *still* sending stuff like that. There should be an easier way to get off of those lists. It took me forever and a day to get amazon to stop sending baby related emails last spring.

As for me? Two weeks to my MFM appointment, and I'm still freaking out regularly. Exhausting.

[Ericka_Jarett]

I know it. The week after Rebekah passed I canceled all subscriptions, everything so I thought. Still got a few things and would just delete them after getting off the list. If I wasn't removed by 2nd time, I wrote them personally and said please take me off the list as they are cruel reminder of what I have lost. They would apologize, say how sorry they are and wish me well.

I didn't sign up again for anything until I was about 25 weeks along. Formula I still was getting I just gave to a good friend of mine, since her son used that brand and every little can of extra she appreciated so didn't worry much about canceling that. I actually just got 2 cans because I re-signed up with them, but told hubby we are keeping those just in case, they don't expire until next October.

[Kimmiebride]

Target registry was the worst! I tried to cancel it, wrote to them, and no one could seem to figure it out. It was heart wrenching. We will always be reminded of what might have been.

I love that poem to Astro's AF... very cute!

clzj, good luck, and hoping comfort will build as you and dh work through yet anothr stage in this big story.

Off to the peri today! I'll report back later!
Kimmie

[sophiapb]

Loving the poem myangelsvw but I'm really feeling it as rap especially with your last three lines, which are FABULOUS. Something like:

Yo, yo, Aunt Flo
Go visit Astro
So she can hang with her embryos
This ain't no stroll
You stupid troll
We're in a rush
'Cause she wants babies to love and raise and call her own and that's not too much to ask, is it? NO and we're all tired of waiting so get your butt moving and mush mush mush

Hmmm, okay, I still need to tweak that last part but you get the gist. ;)

[myangelsvw]

The rap! I love it! Hee!

[Kimmiebride]

mwah hahaha!!! Love the stupid troll part!!!

Great peri appt - heart beating so fast, much faster than I remember it from last time. Nuchal test in two weeks and peri visit two weeks after that, so I get to see the bean every two weeks, which is just about at my freak out tolerance threshold...

Not really a clear shot, but still cool... it's my wublet!!
http://www.millcottagebridal.com/sono825.jpg
Have a great weekend ladies!!
hugs,
Kimmie

[sophiapb]

What a beautiful wublet, Kimmie.

Also wanted to say not to stress about the amnio pushers and other tests that the medical profession loves to shove on people that are in their mid-30s and *ahem* above (I was lurking on some thread and saw your post). I feel like I am constantly battling with doctors since I don't want any tests. My attitude is if we can see something obvious on the u/s, fine but I'm going to take whatever God gives us so all the amnios and bloodtests are nothing more than bill padding in my opinion and just more to add to my stress. No, thank you!

[myangelsvw]

Congrats on the good appointment, Kimmie!

Ok. I admit it. I'm a little bit jealous of everyone who gets to see the doc so much. I called the nurses this week because I'm still spotting, but because it's brown, they won't move up my appointment. I just feel like something is wrong and no one will help me. It's like unless it's too late for them to do anything, they don't want to see me. And this is the peri. Of course, I recognize that we saw heartbeats, and so it could all just be anxiety. After all, I am completely terrified. But still. Would it be so hard to let me come in next week instead of the two weeks from now?

[goldengbridge]

myangelsvw- IMO thats crap. They should be seeing you. The Peri i'm seeing spent a good 20 mins going over everything with me and reassuring me that they were going to keep an very close eye on me. You need reassurance right now, not worry. I have the same appt schedule set up like Kimmie. Nuchal coming up next wed and then another u/s 2 weeks after that.

[Kimmiebride]

Another vote for "just crap" myangelsvw!!!!! Is it an option to switch?? I don't know why they would want you to stress... Perinatologists should know how tough this is after what we have been through. I feel lucky to have the two docs I have, and feel completely confident that if anything is stressing me, I just have to call. I want that for you too!!!! I hope it gets better!

They did a pap today, and of course now I have spotting too. I am glad she thought to warn me, or I would be totally freaking out! I had too much spotting and bleeding last time, and I don't want any part of it!!
Off to the coast for the weekend with my DH. We are finally celebrating our anniversary since I have a lull in weddings for the next couple of weeks!
Take care ladies!!
Kimmie

[Ericka_Jarett]

myangelsvw - they really should be seeing you more often. I was on a 2 week schedule with my peri from 16 weeks through to 32 weeks. I didn't start to see him until I was 12 weeks since that was the earliest appt I could get. But got an u/s every 2 weeks and he was great, won't see me again unless I reach 37 weeks just to do a growth u/s.

I really hope they change their mind and want to see you sooner.

[Astro]

myangelsvw -- thanks for the poem. She must have been listening. :) I'm sending smacking thoughts to your RE's office. The nurses were very rude to not get you in earlier. Are you seeing a perinatologist? (perhaps if you spell it correctly, it'd help?) I'm hoping we'll be going back to the perinatologist in a couple months. :) They always had room for me to come in to be seen if I was freaking with the boys. They've already said next time, they'll see us more often. You need better/kinder doctors.

sophiapb -- thanks for making it into a rap... catchy tune. ;)

kimmiebride -- That's one amazing wublet. I was thinking about you this past week. Glad to hear everything is going well.

[myangelsvw]

astro - Oh, hooray! FET, here you come!!!! :D :D But I think sophia's rap was more forceful than my goofy poem, so I'm sure at least some of the credit goes to her. As for this nurse, it was actually at the peri's office this time. And unlike the other one she was very nice about everything and happy to hear I'm coming back and all. But she said that if the spotting is brown, they don't worry. Which is all fine and dandy for them, but I sure as heck worry. I think that's actually the disadvantage of a peri - they see so much that a little brown spotting seems like nothing, while I feel like the sky is falling down around me.

ericka - So how did you stay sane until you got to 12 weeks? That's my problem. I'm sure they will see me more frequently later on -- particularly between 18 and 24 weeks, in case we need to do a cerclage. But it's the wait for the first appointment that's killing me.

Kimmie - Hope you have a great weekend with your DH! As for switching docs, I've thought about it, but I'm not sure I have many options. They're the practice at the closest hospital with a Level 3 NICU. Plus, they were with me last time and know my history, so it's kind of frightening to think about changing. So I don't know. Maybe I should look for a "regular" doc to add to the peri, but I'm not sure anyone would want me. (I was on a hunt for a regular OB when I got pregnant last time, so I don't have one already.)

goldeng - Actually, the ironic thing is that my peri appointment (and first u/s with them) and my nuchal are four days apart. I mentioned that to the nurse, hoping that maybe they'd let me move up my appointment to space out the u/s a little more. She suggested I could cancel the one the day of my peri appointment. Um, no. :rolleyes: Anyway, they do u/s every four weeks, with check-up appointments in between at some points. And I guess that in general, I'm ok with that. Unless, of course, there's some issue, like, oh, say, spotting. So, right now, yeah, I agree that it's kind of crap. My plan is that if I get anymore bleeding next week, I'm going to try to get back into the RE, even though I've been released. Of course, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there's just no more bleeding.

[Ericka_Jarett]

I think it has to do with the fact that they didn't mention seeing the peri until after I took the 3hour GTT at 8 weeks and got the results at about 9 weeks. Then they mentioned the peri and I called right away and they put me in 3 weeks later. I was seeing my OB every 2 weeks since the day I got my BFP too. The wait is hard, but the peri didn't really do much at the 12 week appt, he did the first u/s at 16 weeks and every 2 weeks after to check the cervix.

You will be able to make it, try not to think about it as hard as that is to do. Wish you luck.

[goldengbridge]

The dreaded week is here. Two more days till Jacob's due date. The therapist said it was going to get worse before it got better and man was she right. Its still monday and I'm already hysterical. My peri appt for the nuchal is wed morning, the same day Jacob was due. That kinda freaks me out.

I'm 12 weeks today and I feel like theres some type count down leading up to 18 weeks and 4 days...the exact week and day I lost Jacob for some odd reason. Like maybe if I can get past that day things might just be ok this time. Does that make sense? This just really sucks.

[Kimmiebride]

goldengbridge, I don't know if this will help you through it, but it has helped me knowing that Robert had something to do with this new baby. His due date was hard, and filled with many tears because I wasn't pregnant yet, but having this little miracle inside me has made the tough times get better and better. I know I will never be "over" losing Robert, but knowing he's here with me during this pregnancy and feeling his spirit around me has helped me tremendously when I slip into the teary phase. I am trying not to count up to the time I lost him with this baby, even though that is completely natural to want to just get past that time. I keep telling myself that this is a different baby - it's not Robert, and I want to try to keep as positive as I can. I am so sorry it's so hard for you right now, and am glad you're seeing your therapist. Good luck, and I'll be sending you hugs every day!!
Kimmie

[myangelsvw]

goldeng - I know this week will be hard on you, and I'm so sorry. The two weeks leading up to what should have been our induction date were incredibly tough. FWIW, once the date was gone, things actually seemed a little easier. I hope that's your experience, too. In the meantime, though, I'll be thinking about you the next few days.

ericka - Thanks for the pep talk. I'll do my best at not obsessing -- we'll see how good that is. :p :)

[sophiapb]

For the first time, I decided to lurk in Ericka's journal today. Saw this post from Aug 29:

Appt update - had my OB appt today. Typical stuff, weight was up like 2 lbs but I'm not freaking, since I am under what I was when I first got pregnant still, I am still like -2 lbs for weight gain. B/P was fine, baby sounded great. No cervical check today. She said she will do my GBS next week as well as a cervical check and pessary removal. DH and I were like yikes that is really cutting it close for the shower. We were saying well if I went into labor on Tuesday would be out like Thursday, Friday at the latest so could do the shower still, or I could go into labor after the shower (or during, double yikes) and end up delivering than or even go into labor this week, or of course the best would be if he would hold out until after the shower and than come. Either way it really hit today, it's happening really soon. Told hubby when we move will just come back to this doctor for my 6 week follow-up and shouldn't have to see an OB/GYN for 1 yr after, so can do the new doctor search during the year.


and then saw that Ericka's DH Jarett posted this update TODAY:

jarett posting from hospital cafeteria...)
Ok, after pessary removal she was 4cm and the membrane was bulging. Dr sent us right to the hospital. Ericka will be starting peticin shortly, and once contractions pick up, her water will be broken.

we don't want to wait due to high chance of infections.

pray for peace and comfort for ericka, and strength for both of us.

today or tommorrow should be the day.


Baby Easton is on his way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LDS Angel 19]

Holy cow! I come back from vaca and we may have a baby arriving! I'll be praying for Ericka and her family.

As for us, not a lot going on. Like I said, we just got back in town. Tomorrow I have an appointment with my OB to discuss our next steps, I'm quite nervous.

[Kimmiebride]

Stopping in to wish Ericka, Jarrett and baby Easton peace and health!!
Kimmie

[jennylou]

Good luck to Ericka and family!

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted - I can't seem to find enough hours in the day anymore. Nora likes to be held - pretty much non stop, so it's hard to even get online. I'd love to be online, instead of watching TV (because it seems like we do that a lot these days), but I haven't mastered that skill. ;) :p

Sending all of you my best wishes.

michelle - good luck with the Dr appt!

[sophiapb]

Jarett posted info and photos in Ericka's journal http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11742&page=12

(Jarett posting... )
Easton Robert, born 9/5/6 @ 7:27pm. 5 pounds, 6 ounces. 19 inches long. Mommy and baby are doing great.


Congratulations Ericka and Jarett!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[myangelsvw]

Congratulations, Ericka! Easton is adorable.

Michelle - Good luck with your doc today. I hope you get some useful next steps out of it.

astro - Lining check soon? If you notice a PIO needle shaped baton, that's from me. :p

[LDS Angel 19]

Holy crap, congrats Ericka! YAY!!!!

Nice to see you Jenny, I hope Nora is doing wonderfully and letting you sleep at least a little. :)

As for my dr. appt update, Well, hang on tight, cause here we go.

Since today is like day 50-somthing of my cycle, she gave me a script for the drug I can't remember the name of to bring on AF, and then we're doing Clomid days 3-7 with a follicle check day 13 or so.

I didn't realize things would be happening so fast... I'm so anxiously excited. I mean, I know theres no gaurentee or anything, but it feels so good to just be trying SOMTHING.

She also said if it takes more than a few cycles we'll get DH in for an SA and I'll go see the Peri for a consult.

So, we're back on the TTC train, at full speed too. It's about dang time.

[jennylou]

Yay Michelle! I remember the feeling of finally being able to move forward with the clomid - it gave me new hope. :)

[Kimmiebride]

Yes!! That's great news Michelle!! Hoping we have a bumper crop of new preggos shortly!!!
Kimmie

[Ericka_Jarett]

Hi ladies,

Sophie - thanks for posting the update. Hubby posts from his cell phone and doesn't know all the threads I am subscribed to.

Thanks ladies for the well wishes and Congrats. Easton is such a sweetheart. I can't wait for him to come home. The nurse this morning was going over the discharge paperwork, mentioned how I had Rebekah last year (she was mentioning if I was fertile mertil and wants birth control, and I mentioned that it took me 7 months to get pregnant after her) and what they offer for other siblings and such. I said well we don't need to worry about that, since Rebekah had passed, she said she didn't realize it and said, this must be hard for you leaving him here than. I said it is, but it's different this time around, at least this time we know he will be home in a few days.

I have the birth story in my journal if anyone is interested.

Thanks again. Leaving soon to go and enjoy my baby boy some more. When Jarett goes back to work if Easton is still in, will possibly have him drop me in the AM or pick me up in the PM from the hospital, if I can get someone to take me in the AM instead. I want to be there as much as possible for his feedings, we need him to drink more from his bottle and once that happens, he will be able to come home. He needs to get 60cc's in him at a feeding, right now he is at 30cc's. But he gets lazy and ends up tube fed at times. So please keep him in prayer that he gains weight fast and can get feeding by mouth down. I will be pumping and pray milk starts soon, right now I get a few drops of colostrum.

Michelle - so happy to hear they are doing something now to help you. Hope you get great news shortly, you deserve it.

To everyone else that is pregnant - yeah for another day

To those waiting - your time is coming up again, be praying for all

To those that had babies - here's to our Miracles

[myangelsvw]

Michelle - Great news on starting the clomid. And so soon! Hope it works like a charm for you.

Ericka - Going over discharge paperwork has got to feel good even though he's not coming home right away. Here's hoping that Easton starts staying awake a little longer for his feedings.


In our news, MFM appointment was today. Not sure what all to say about it. The babies look good and are growing nicely, which I'm thrilled about. We've still got some subchorionic blood, which I'm distinctly not thrilled about. Overall, I just wonder how I'm ever going to make it long enough to bring these kids home. I'm just so scared about losing these two, too.

[Sully130]

Only have a moment, but just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to Ericka. Welcome to the world Easton. I hope he's home with you soon, eating as he should. I'm so happy that your little boy has arrived safely.

To everyone else, I think of you often and hope you are all doing well.

[clzj]

I don't know you gave my the baton but it is time to pass it on. I guess it was our time. first month not using protection and bang it happens.





I got a BFP.

[sophiapb]

Congratulations Lynn! What fantastic news! A healthy and happy nine months to you.

[Kimmiebride]

Lynn!!! That's great news! Congrats, and take it easy! I bet your DH is thrilled too! Hoping for so many wonderful rainbow babies for my friends here!

Ericka, hope Easton is doing well, and gets to come home to you and Jarrett soon!!

I have my Nuchal Translucency scan on Thursday. I am feeling pretty good, a little nauseous still, but happy to be almost out of the first trimester. Went to see Dave Matthews on Saturday, and little baby and I danced our hearts out! It was fun. Managed to avoid the pot smoke - not an easy task!
Kimmie

[Ericka_Jarett]

Easton took 2 bottles in a row today for us. He is up to eating 45cc's they were tube feeding him all weekend, was going to question the doctor about that today, but found out from the nurses they talked to her first and she agreed to put him on a bottle every other feeding instead of tube, since his problem was not sucking his bottles, being tube fed was making him lazy. So when I fed him his bottle he ate 35cc's by bottle, the last 10 she put in his tube, but he probably would have finished the bottle once the air was out of his tummy. Then Jarett fed him his next bottle 3 hours later and he finished all but 4cc's which 2 were extra anyway, so the nurse just tossed that last little bit. We are so happy that he got through 2 bottle feedings. Things are looking up, so we are thrilled and pray he continues on this good trend and gets to come home by Saturday, since we are moving to our new place.

I have been pumping so getting some milk and taking it to him, he got my milk last night and this afternoon and will get it again tomorrow, when I take another bottle or 2 with me.

[myangelsvw]

clzj - Wow! That was fast. Congratulations! :)

Ericka - Sounds like Easton is doing great with the bottles! Hope it keeps up and they send him home with you soon.

Kimmie - Good luck on Thursday!

So yesterday was my second u/s in four days. :rolleyes: Last week was the growth scan and this week was the NTT. Tech yesterday barely even noticed the subchorionic blood until I asked her to look for it, so that makes me feel a little better. On the less good side, I've started thinking about how little time I had left with the boys at this point. It's hard not to, but it's not great for my peace of mind. Next appointment is in two weeks, and then in three weeks, I have a consult with a different group at a different hospital to see if they'd do anything different for us.

[Astro]

Kimmie - Good luck on Thursday. Glad to hear you and the baby danced your hearts out at Dave Matthews.

Ericka - Congratulations to Easton for taking so much from the bottle, and congratulations to you on pumping. I hope he gets to come home by Saturday. :)

Myangelsvw - Glad to hear your u/s went well. Hopefully the appointments continue to go well and you get to meet them some time this spring. :)

As for us, nothing going on over here. We were a little more emotional the beginning of September, since that was the one year mark; but we're doing fine.

[Kimmiebride]

Great news at the NT scan today! I am at the risk level of a 34 year old for down's, and a 20 year old for trisomy 13 & 18. So yay!! no amnio for me! The baby was so cute - moving all around, punching and kicking, and opening it's mouth. It's already swallowing, which is good, and measuring ahead a couple of days! Face looks a bit like Skeletor, but beautiful for mom & dad's eyes to behold!! Thank God!!!

Maybe I'll be able to relax, just a little bit???
hugs,
Kimmie

[myangelsvw]

Kimmie - Great news on the NTT! I know you must be thrilled to not be facing the worry of an amnio this time.

astro - Hey, you! Glad to hear you're doing ok. Have been thinking about you this month.

So I think I'm finally ready to talk about our Dr. appointment last week. I've been having a particularly hard time with one piece of information that we were told. Basically, this doc wasn't sure that an infection caused the PTL. He thinks maybe it was something I contracted during my hospital stay. Now I'm back to running through all the "what ifs." What if I hadn't called the doctor and had waited until Monday when the office opened to go in. Everything was pretty stable for most of Sunday, so maybe the contractions would have stopped. Maybe I wouldn't have started to progress again. Maybe the boys would be alive now.

On another topic, is anyone planning to attend an infant loss memorial service next month? I was just looking ahead in my calendar and found a note to myself to call our hospital for details on when the memorial service is being held this year.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Great news Kimmie - Congrats on no amnio needed this time. Must be a huge relief.

Memorial Service - don't think my hospital even has one.

We will not be in the area anymore anyway. We move this weekend to PA. Hoping Easton gets released tomorrow or Sunday at the latest. He is up to 8 bottles as of today, his tube is suppose to be removed, he got circumsized yesterday, got his Hep B shot the day before and they told us they want to test him in his car seat. (since he is a preemie they need to make sure he can breath ok in it) We watched the CPR video that is required last night, will watch the car seat one today, so they can be marked off our list now.

[Astro]

Kimmie - Congratulations! What fantastic news. Here's hoping the baby and you keep dancing away for the next 28 weeks or so. :)

Myangelsvw - The longer it's been since our boys passing, the more I realize the doctors really don't know what happens in-utero. They just pretend they know. If there was an infection found, I think the majority of medical science would say there is a high probability the two are related. They will rarely say they are 100% positive two things are related. Anyway, from what I've heard from our Dr's, if there's an infection then the likely hood is quiet high that caused an early loss. I know there's nothing you could have done differently. You did nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong. Everything you did at the time was the best choice with the knowledge you had. You, your DH, and all 4 of your kids continue to be in our prayers. My DH keeps saying one of these days, we should fly out to visit. :)

[sophiapb]

WooHoo Kimmie! Yay for no amnio and yay for Skeletor (creepy and beautiful all at once! ;) )

Hey Ericka, I've been keeping up with your updates in your journal and am thrilled that Easton is doing well. Congrats on your upcoming move as well. Wow, a lot of changes for you in such a short time period!

all 4 of your kids continue to be in our prayers.

Okay, I got a little misty eyed when I read that. Stupid hormones. :o


doctors really don't know what happens in-utero. They just pretend they know

TOTALLY agree with that. With Alexander, all the medical personnel kept saying that his cord was wrapped around his body. Yeah, but why would that have killed him? I mean, an artery in his umbilical cord closed at 27 weeks and he was 3 pounds less than his sister. Wouldn't it make sense that he wasn't getting enough nourishment and oxygen and that he very well might have starved to death? But I think as soon as a doctor said "Yep, that's the problem" the follow up question would have been "Then why the hell didn't you get him out sooner like at 36 weeks like I was begging you to?" and which doctor would want to be responsible for answering that question? I've given up getting an answer but you better believe this current pregnancy is being watched like no one's business!


Update on me. I had an u/s and doctor visit on Friday and all is going well. The u/s was for growth and doppler, which is checking the blood flow in the umbilical cord. Everything checked out well which is good news although last time the cord problem didn't develop until about 27 weeks so I don't feel out of the woods yet. But there was LOADS of movement and all the measurements were where they should be at 25+ weeks so it was good. I went to the doctor a few hours later for my check up and although she couldn't find any heartbeat, a well aimed kick sent her monitor flying so I wasn't too concerned and neither was the doctor. She wasn't my regular doctor so she doesn't know the fetal positioning and my funky body as well as my regular doctor so I'm just shrugging it off. As long I'm still getting bladder kicks, I know that all is well. :D

[Ericka_Jarett]

hi ladies (fforgivemisspellings, Easton is asleep in my arms)

we are officially moved into our place,once totes are totally unpacked, will do pics. Eastonnn came home Saturday, he survived a few outtings already. Longest being to IKEA which took 4 hours, but at least we have storage and organization going on now.

Jarett wants to do a photo shoot of Easton tonight or tomorrow, that should be fun. He wants me to nap for sure today, ths morning he looked at me and said I need to nap when Easton does cause I look tired. got the kitchen organized, part of our room done and still hav to get clothes pulled for Easton, organize the bathroom, our room some more, the livingroom and we have to assemble the linen cabinet for the hall.

Our boxspring didn't fot upstairs, have to figure out what we are going to do about putting our bed together now.

Well nap is calling me and than to get Easton a peds today

[LDS Angel 19]

it's a little quiet in here, how is everyone?

I finished my Clomid yesterday, and go in for my follicle scan on Wednesday. I was talking about it at our HUGS meeting last night and was a little shocked as I realized I could be pregnant by the next meeting. Scary.
I'm trying to not even think about that though, since I know that we have no idea if this is even going to actually work... oy.

Anyway, I havn't had any side effects at all, so that's a good thing. If it dosen't work the first time it won't be a huge deal to just try again.

Hope you all are well, and have a nice weekend!

(Oh, and in non-ttc related news, I've been working a temp job for less than two weeks and they want to hire me on perm. What a huge blessing! Now I can pay for all of my dr. appointments. :) It might suck a little though if we do get pregnant right away and I hae to go on bedrest or somthing, but that's one of those things we'll deal with when we get there....)

[myangelsvw]

Hi, guys. I've been laying low because DH has been out of town for work, and I'm just trying to make it through each day until he gets home. I feel so vulnerable by myself, and weekends are the worst.

astro - I know you're right. There isn't any use in the what ifs. As another friend pointed out, if I hadn't gone in, I'd be wondering what if I had. Totally a no-win situation. But I suppose it's a normal part of grief. As is having it rear it's head again. Oh, and I like that DH of yours. You should totally fly out to visit! (Although considering the amount of time I spend on my sofa now, I'm not sure I'm much fun. Consider yourself warned. ;) )

sophia - Glad to hear that last week's u/s was good. How soon after 27 weeks will they give you another? I know we're all going to be excited to hear good news at that point. And for the record, astro made me cry, too. ;)

ericka - Hooray for Easton's first week at home! And for surviving your move. Hope everyone and everything is settling in nicely.

michelle - Great news about the job. Sounds like it's working out well, which you totally deserve. And good luck with the follie scan. FWIW, I didn't have any side effects from Clomid either, and it did its job just fine.

[sophiapb]

Ooooo, LDS, exciting news both job-wise and TTC-wise! Crossing my fingers for a terrific follie report! By the way, I was a nutjob on Clomid so I'm envious that you and myangelsvw had no side effects.

Ericka, I've been reading Easton's glowing reports in your journal. Glad that he's thriving and gaining weight. Congrats on your move as well but don't freak too much about unpacking. We moved into oour house in 2001 and we still have a couple of boxes that we haven't touched. Hey, less things to pack when we move in a few years! :D Just get plenty of rest, enjoy Easton and your new home and everything will eventually settle into place.

myangelsvw, my next u/s is mid-October when I'll be 30 weeks. I'm hoping for a good doppler report at that visit, which will be a huge relief and will get me past one of my milestones. I have to say, the first part of this pregnancy totally dragged. I had massive m/s and such incredible fears but now that I feel much more movement and I'm not vomitting and dry heaving daily, I'm feeling more secure (please note, the fear isn't GONE but I do get more and more thoughts like "Wow, this might actually work out!"). I also feel like I'm bonding more with my belly, whereas before I had sort of distanced myself from the whole pregnancy. I'm trying not to get too comfortable for fear of having my feet kicked out from under me but I'm not quite hanging from a ledge like I was a few months ago. So far, so good! :p

[Kimmiebride]

I have been missing you guys as well. I am officially out of the first trimester tomorrow. I found myself telling people yesterday, which was funny since I had kind of decided that enough people know. I have a peri appt on Monday. I am still a bit sleepy, but I think my energy is starting to come back a bit. Ended up with asthma, and a really bad post nasal drip. I am supposed to do the saline nasal wash, and the idea of it has been a little tough on the nausea scale. I know it would make it better...
Good luck to Michelle!!
Myangelsvw, sorry your on your own so much lately! I hate to be alone too!
Sophiapb, glad things are going well... wow, I can't wait for more solid kicks and slightly less fear! I am feeling flutters at 13 weeks, which always make me giggle.
Jenny and Ericka, hoping you are having a great time with your little ones, and hi to anyone I might have forgotten accidentally!
hugs to all
Kimmie

[myangelsvw]

sophia - Yay for bonding. And for even just a few more thoughts of happy endings. I remember your ledge (and am rather familiar with it myself), so your post makes me very happy. :D

Kimmie - Oh, man. Post nasal drip. I hear you on that. And it's been the one thing guaranteed to make me gag both last time and this time. Let me know if the nasal wash works.

[Sully130]

Kimmie - So glad to hear your results from the NT scan were so positive. I know that's quite a relief. Now if you can just get some relief from the post nasal drip. Yuck! Hope the nasal wash works. I was surprised by how much just being pregnant made me congested. I had to use that Ocean nose spray every night or I'd wake up unable to breathe. Then the night I had T, I no longer needed it. So odd! Oh and congrats on making it to the second trimester!!! Hooray!!

Ericka - So glad to hear Easton is doing well and is home. I was so surprised to read you've already had him out and about. I was terrifed to take T out until he was 6 weeks old (even though the doctor advised four) and he wasn't a preemie! Glad your move went well though and I hope you're all settled soon.

LDS - Congrats on the job and I hope that you are pregnant by your next meeting!!!

myangelsvw -