Here we go again

Because we don't have enough going on in our lives with raising a 14 month old and moving to Oregon in 2 weeks, we have started stims for baby #2 this morning.  I did the injection myself while Nate wrangled the kiddo. If everything lines up, we'll transfer any embryos 2-3 days before the moving truck comes on 10/1. 

Weeeee!

38 weeks - Almost There!

Baby is the size of a winter melon. I hadn't really heard of this one but here's what Google says it is!

The Mossling is officially fully cooked and probably weighing in at around 7 lbs.  We have a check up on Monday, which should be our last one before the c-section on 7/21. 

I've been having some period like cramps only in the evenings for the last few days. Nothing I would call a contraction and nothing we're able to time.  Acid reflux continues to be a struggle with his head so close to my stomach, but it will soon be all worth it. 

I put together some progression images for fun.  See how the lump on top starts to really protrude in the last couple? Yup, that's a noggin! 

The swelling in my face, hands and feet seem to have finally gone down.  Now, it's all belly!! Well, and some hips and thighs, but I've had those all along :)

Giving Birth ‘Naturally’ Does Not Make You More Of A Woman

This is a hot button for me.  Nate and I couldn't get pregnant 'naturally' and now we need medical science again in order to deliver our baby safely.  100 years ago not only would I never have gotten pregnant, if by some miracle I did, my child and/or I could have serious complications and possibly not survive delivery.

Because we choose to use medical science to help us does not mean we will be bad parents or that our child will be less amazing or natural.  And, giving birth naturally is not a measure of success for being a woman!   I'm not against natural medicine or herbal remedies, but sometimes they are not the only answer and definitely shouldn't be looked at as superior to other options that result in the same end goal.  The end goal here is to have a happy healthy baby, not to prove anything.

This article says it way better than I can.  I'm so tired of people constantly praising women who are able to give birth 'naturally' and attempting to commiserate with those of us who needed assistance. We don't need your condolences because we need medical assistance.  Your well wishes and support are appreciated, however.

Now for an update:

At 37 weeks the Mossling is the size of a large cantaloupe and weighs about 6.5 pounds.

He's still heads up. I can feel his head pushing into my ribcage when he stretches out.  It hurts.  Sleeping is getting harder. Acid reflux is getting worse. 15 more days. I can do this. 

C-section is scheduled for 7/21. Hope we make it that far without having to rush in for an emergency c-section.   We have a dr appointment on 7/13 for an ultrasound again to make sure he's still in breech position. 

36 Weeks and Breech

So good news is Mossling is doing well. He has a strong heartbeat, good amount of fluid around him, and normal size etc.  Bad news is, he's butt down instead of heads down.  GRRRR!

Sigh. So... we have a choice to make. He's pretty tight in there so chances that he'll turn around on his own are pretty slim. The Dr gave me some exercises and positions I can try to help encourage him but our choices are:

1) Try to turn him next week at 37 weeks by doing a version procedure at the hospital. There are minor risks of the bag of waters breaking or the cord getting stuck around his neck, etc. In which case they'd do an emergency c-section on the spot. Dr says the procedure can be pretty painful for me too. There's no guarantee he wont flip back over either. 

OR

2) We can just schedule the c-section for 39 weeks.

Honestly, I'm somewhat relieved because I'm more scared of the idea of pushing him out my vagina vs. having surgery! haha Maybe I have my priorities or fears mixed up. 

Another thing to consider is if we want to have another child, we'll have to go through IVF again and scar tissue from c-sections can complicate implantation. I emailed both Dr Holland and our IVF Dr. Harris to ask their opinions on that. 

We have some decisions to make. Why can't anything be easy? 

34 Weeks - Getting Closer!

This week the little Mossling is about the size of a honeydew weighing in at about 5lbs and could be as long as 20 inches. 

We had our checkup this morning.  My blood pressure is good, 116/62, I've only gained 1 lb in the last 2 weeks, baby is measuring on track, and his heartbeat is strong and steady.  

We go back for the 36 week appointment on the 29th of June and get to finally see him again via ultrasound. Mom & Dad will be here by then so Mom & Nate get to see him too :) 

His movements have stopped being so jerky and now are more of rolls and stretches since he's running out of room in there. 

Nate installed the car seat base and car seat yesterday.  We organized most of the onesies and other clothes by size.  I think we're almost ready! 

This is getting real!!!! AAAAH!

32 Weeks 5 days - Hiccups, Backaches and Braxton Hicks

I'm almost 33 weeks. Baby is the size of a head of lettuce and 17-19 inches long.

He's reached is full length most likely, but still at only 4-4 1/2 lbs he could double in weight. I'd be ok with a less than 8lb baby please!

The hiccups started a few weeks ago.  Mostly at night and for the past 3 days at 5-5:30 am.  It feels like little rhythmic thumps and wakes me up! Its supposed to be a good sign that his lungs are developing.

My back is starting to ache if I stay in one position for too long.  I anticipate it will get worse as my belly continues to stick out farther and farther.

I've had a few Braxton Hicks feelings. Nothing painful just tightening of the belly that slowly creeps up and then slowly fades. Dr. said not to worry about them unless they come on quickly and I have more than 1 an hour or so or if they last longer than 60 seconds.

3 more weeks of work! I can't wait to be done. Its hard to concentrate!

28 Weeks, Third Trimester, and Gestational Diabetes

At 28 weeks the baby is about the size of an eggplant, measuring about 16 inches long and weighing 2.5lbs. Chances of survival outside the womb at this point are up to 90%.

This week begins the third trimester.  Baby has started having REM cycles so could be dreaming :).  He's opening and closing his eyes now and could be starting to have some hiccups, although I haven't felt that yet. 

The acid reflux (GERD) has been mostly under control for the past couple of weeks.  Zantac and smaller meals seems to really help. Not coughing up a lung from being sick is helpful too. 

I had to go do the 3 hour glucose test again though and this time I failed, meaning I have Gestational Diabetes.  The numbers were really very close so it's marginal, but I'm not terribly surprised. I'm still really frustrated with how they test for it.  Diabetes runs in my family and I already eat healthy and get exercise almost daily.  I don't drink sugary drinks or eat desserts all the time, but hey let's have you fast for 10 hours then drink 100g of sugar and see how you feel, ok? 

Sigh.  So, now I get to meet with a nutritionist and test my blood 3x a day.  But, you know what? After all the needles I've stabbed myself with, these will be nothing.  I seriously doubt I'll have to change my diet much if any at all.