Okay, so I was supposed to update yesterday (and yes, I know I received multiple PMs, profile comments, texts, thread comments on my other BG threads, and FB messages about it, haha), but DH is working 16 hours/day this week, so I didn't get a chance to between all day/night monitoring of my kiddo and frenzied cleaning of my house after a 4 day weekend with a 3 year old and a Marine, haha.
So, I took pics yesterday, but here is my update:
Symptoms: Boobs ache like its their job. Nausea is lessened a little, but still present. Headaches are less common, but more painful. I'm thirsty ALL the time. My new Rx for progesterone is not as scary because the pink color is less noticeable (so my discharge is less pink!). I'm moodier, but that may just be gearing up to today (Deagan's birthday). I'm MUCH more tired than I have been in the last few weeks (emotionally exhausted?). All I know is I could nap twice a day and still not feel rested! And I'm craving salty foods (black olives, soy sauce/teryaki sauce, salted caramel, etc)
Anyway, here's the detailed info about how my doc appointment went yesterday, then I'll get on with the photos for you all
We got to meet my new doctor (Who actually READ the information given to him in my chart AND my "cheat sheet" and remembered my situation for more than 30 seconds! He not only read it, but INTERPRETED it and gave me a few different ideas about why these things have gone so poorly in the past and how we should fix them.
We both agree that progesterone and baby aspirin are DEFINITELY NECESSARY for me (so THERE smurffy military OB!) and I'll continue both until 14 weeks (although, he's not opposed to me continuing aspirin the whole pregnancy and continuing progesterone until 16 weeks when I will switch to injections to strengthen my cervix, so that's my plan).
He said he's not 100% sure that I'll need a cerclage and that he'd rather not do one if I don't need it---but he noticed my worry and agreed that it would be okay to do it for prophylactic reasons. After a little discussion we agreed on a middle-ground. He said that many docs observe the cervix every 2 weeks until the cervix drops below 2.5cm in length, then observe weekly until 1.5cm and then do the cerclage immediately once it drops below 1.5cm. We discussed risks of waiting and the drawbacks of doing it when we don't even know if I need it (added risk of infection, risk of rupturing membranes, etc). I suggested we monitor my cervix every 2 weeks until my cervix starts to shorten. Once there is ANY change, we do the cerclage the next day (while I still have a nice long cervix and its MUCH less likely to rupture membranes, etc). He was 100% on-board with my suggestion and we agreed it was a great plan that would keep me comfortable and at-ease and minimize my risks on BOTH sides of the board. This made me REALLY happy! After all, the progesterone may be all I need to strengthen that pesky cervix.
I CAN have sex now (although no rough stuff, which we're both 100% okay with) and I can continue my jogging in the evenings and eat anything I want (minus green tea, it depletes folic acid) and enjoy a dose of caffeine here and there and cook with my booze when I feel like it. All good news. I can continue these things through 12 weeks at least (the sex and jogging) and we'll reevaluate as needed as we progress. Just have to talk hubby into having sex---he's very nervous, but I want to stock up since I know I'll probably be on rest after 14 weeks
I see him again November 12. I'm very frustrated at not being seen again for a whole month, but I know in my head that there's nothing else to do besides continue my medications and such as needed. I have a doppler and will begin listening in next week to help ease my mind. If I haven't found it by 10 weeks (I found it with the boys at 9 weeks both times), I'll call and tell him my concerns and see if I can come in for a quick ultrasound to help me stay sane.
BUT, now for the BEST PART! WE got to see the BABY! There's a real baby in there growing and thumping and bouncing away in there. Baby wiggled just a tiny bit and I could tell we're head-up in there and attached way away from my cervix (so no issues like with 1DS when I had placenta previa!) and baby has a BEAUTIFUL little heartbeat of 151. This is much slower than either of my sons (both in the mid to high 160s), but its right in the middle range of normal---so basically perfect. Baby measured dead-on with my ovulation date (two days ahead of LMP), so my official due date is MAY 28th!!! I'm glad he went with my O date due-date (he asked about the discrepancy when he put my LMP into the machine and it gave him May 30, but I'd said the 28th) and trusted my knowledge. Because it makes me 2 days further along (backed up by ultrasound, although its close enough that if I hadn't said I ovulated early, he wouldn't have changed it to the 28th instead of 30th since it wasn't off by more than a week) because when we get to the 23/24 week mark, a day or two could make a HUGE difference in whether a hospital will attempt to save baby's life (as I experienced with Deagan). So YAY for my doc listening to ME and accepting that I DO know what I"m talking about!
All in all, it was a very good appointment---and I can't wait til November 12th to see this baby again!
And here's a couple pics from the day of the ultrasound, yesterday, and today (and one comparison of pre-pregnancy to now
)
Taken 10/10/11
Ultrasound photo from 10/10/12 Worst ultrasound photo ever
But I don't care!
Taken today 10/11/12
And here's a couple of 1DS loving on the baby:
You get lots of pictures since you had to wait an extra day
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