Tuesday, February 19, 2013

21 weeks

Before I post my usual weekly update, I'd like to give a shout out to folks rejoining us through Facebook. I've just today turned the Networked Blogs feed back on for this blog after turning it off right after we got our BFP in October. Feel free to read previous posts for back story. The short version is that we are blessed to be expecting our miracle IVF baby boy, conceived through the magic of University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. We got only three embryos during that cycle; he was number two (thus his moniker E2 throughout my posts) and the only healthy one. (The other two had lethal chromosomal abnormalities, which we learned through doing preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD.) He may also be my last shot at a biological child; my egg quality sucks (eggs).

While this pregnancy has been very stressful and frightening for both of us, we are in excellent hands. Both my local OB and my MFM (perinatologist) at UW are doing everything they can to keep me pregnant. There is NOTHING we take for granted; we can't afford to. Grieving our twins is still a very real part of our reality. As other babyloss parents have said about these babies after loss, or "rainbow babies":

When a rainbow appears, it does not mean that the storm never happened or that we are not still dealing with its aftermath. It means that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds.
~Anonymous

E2 is very much our light and beauty in the midst of darkness, and we hope to hold him, healthy and alive, in our arms this summer.

*****
How Far Along: 21 weeks today. E2 is the length of a carrot. That said...the little guy was measuring a full week ahead (on average) at our anatomy scan last Thursday (the day I publicly announced our pregnancy on FB). However, his noggin and belly measured TWO weeks ahead. Holy cow.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: As of today (21w - these federal holidays mess me up!), I was up 10 lbs total. Right on track.

Maternity Clothes: Yep.

Movement: Daily. His movements are getting "big". He's also perfecting the art of kicking me in the bladder, and I'm pretty sure he also kicked me in the colon on Sunday night, which was.not.pleasant.

Sleep: Not good. Last week's adjustments by my osteopath helped for a couple of days, but the rib pain, right hip pain and some shoulder/muscle pain have made sleeping really difficult. Well, plus the 5-6 potty breaks per night. Who am I kidding? (Also, whichever "expert" suggested not to drink liquids after 6:00 p.m. must not know anything, unless my body is weird. I pee more at night than I do all day long. Not fun.)

Gender: A baby brother for Aliya and Bennett.

Symptoms: Nausea, aches and pains, fatigue, sleeping poorly, crappy skin (rosacea is out of control), hot flashes, a little harder to get up from a sitting (or lying down) position, constipation.

Cravings: Sweets. Not good!

Belly Button In or Out: Still in, shallower yet, and a bit painful today.

Freak-out of the Week: I didn't really freak out this week, but I was definitely nervous for our anatomy scan (they couldn't visualize baby's bladder during the 12-week NT scan). More than that, I was nervous to see what my cervix was up to, given the results of the last scan.

Looking Forward To: Another week going by with no issues (fingers crossed).

Next Appointment: Monday, February 25th for another cervical length ultrasound.

Miscellaneous: The anatomy scan - the thing we had so looked forward to with the twins (where we thought we'd learn their sexes) but didn't make - went really well. The tech was pretty talkative and gave us four photos to take home. Baby was not shy about showing us his goods, which was nice. He was also pretty cooperative for all of the measurements. I asked about the cervical length ultrasound, just to make sure it wasn't forgotten. Good thing, too; somehow, that didn't make it onto the order. I was insistent that it be done (especially since Dr. M. deferred to UW on this one rather than doing it himself). The tech seemed a little annoyed (it was Valentine's Day, after all, and I was the last patient of the day), but did it. My cervix measured 4.1 cm (shortest yet, but still long) and closed with no funneling. We met with Dr. C., my MFM, afterward, and I ran down my list of questions. One thing: the "fluid pocket" we saw at the 18 week cervical length ultrasound was likely not there at all, but appeared due to the angle at which Dr. M. was holding the probe. Whew! This also means my cervix probably wasn't 5.1 cm last time as he had measured it. Still, it's gone from 4.8 to 4.6 to ?? to 4.1 over six weeks, so things are still looking good there. I only have two more measurements left before we kick that part to the curb. However, the 17P shots will continue weekly until 36 weeks or delivery, whichever comes first. The thing I liked best about the appointments at UW (besides getting so many awesome views of E2 and being able to feel and SEE his movements at the same time on ultrasound) is that Paul left feeling a little more connected to the baby and a little reassured at how well things are going so far. We're clearly not out of the woods, but we're getting closer...

The belly, 21 weeks.

5 comments:

  1. Looking great momma!!

    Hoping for more non-eventful weeks to follow!!

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  2. Great news! Yay for a It seems we are/were on the same protocol. This all sounds very familiar.

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  3. Getting closer is so important! :)

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  4. Every week is one week closer. Hoping the next few weeks fly by.

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  5. Hi there...I've nominated you for a Liebster Award, I hope that's okay!

    http://aplacewhereicanbeme.blogspot.com/2013/02/liebster-award.html

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