More....

My Journey:

I am 26 years old, and excited to be expecting my first child in April 2008. I was off birth control for 6 months, and then started missing periods, but never came up pregnant. I suspected a problem and went to be evaluated in August 2006. It was determined that I did not ovulate regularly, and she prescribed Clomid to get that started. I took Clomid until April of 07, with no luck conceiving. The side effects were not pleasant, and I began having pain in my lower abdomen, that I believed was a result of the medication. Scared to continue, I scheduled another appointment with the doctor and was given and HSG. The exam showed both fallopian tubes were blocked completely shut. Fortunately the dye that was injected forced one open, while the other is still blocked. I went from my ovaries not working to my tubes not working, and then back to my ovaries not working (since I was no longer allowed Clomid). She referred me to a reproductive endocrinologist and I began the loads of paperwork and medical information to get that started. Fournunately, I began ovulating on my own after the Clomid and six days before my RE appointment, I found out I was pregnant. I was so thrilled to be able to do this the old fashioned way!

My Pregnancy:

First day of LMP was July 15, which gives me an approximate due date of April 20. I found out on August 17, and began what I thought might have been spotting on August 20. I have had a series of hCG tests and my hormone levels seem to be rising nicely. My first OB appointment is September 7, 2007. So far, everything seems to be going smooth. I really have very few symptoms. Occasionally, I feel nauseous, but I never get sick. I feel a little more tired and somewhat cranky at times, and my breasts are a little tender, but nothing that I can't handle. Other than that, I feel completely normal. I'm looking forward to this journey and excited to see what each new day brings. I don't want know the sex of the baby, I want to be completely surprised!

September 7, 2007

First OB appointment. Urine testing and family history. Trans vaginal ultra sound showed the pregnancy in the uterus with a heartbeat of 147.

October 5, 2007

Second OB appointment. Urine test. Discussed symptoms, confirmed due date of April 20, 2008. Growth in the uterus.

October 17, 2007

Went in for the nurse to hear the heartbeat. Some trouble finding it. 156bpm. All seems to be going well. Next real appointment is November 1, 2007.

October 31, 2007

Regular check up. Heard heartbeat-147bpm. Discussed stresses in my personal life (divorce) and ambivalence about the pregnancy. Offered blood testing for different conditions at next checkup. Sonogram to be performed next time. Next appointment 11/30/07.

November 30, 2007

Woke up with a pregnant belly this morning. No hiding it now! Regular check up. Blood drawn for neural tube defect, downs syndrome, and neural tube defect. Discussed symptoms, growth in uterus. Heart beat 147. Really thinking this is probably a girl....but won't know till April!

December 6, 2007

I'm not a CF carrier, so that's good. AFP came back 1/120. I'll be having a sonogram by a specialist, soon, as well as an amnio. Fun, fun. I'm really worried that there may be a problem with the baby, but trying to stay positive in the sense that just because the baby is at higher risk, doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem with it. Now I wait for the specialist to call. This pregnancy has definitely taught me some patience.