To My Science Baby On His First Birthday
Sebastian, I have been thinking for quite a while now of what I wanted to write to you, for your...
Overdue, Induction, and Birth Story – Buckle Up, It’s a LONG One
Our son was due on July 13th, 2017. I’d like to point out that at 36 weeks pregnant our OB told me to take it easy to encourage him to stay in. We were afraid that he would arrive too soon! Well, it looks like our Little Bear took our pleas a little too seriously because he did not want to come out. We hit 40 weeks, and at the OB office we discussed induction. I was hoping I could go into labor on my own to avoid interventions, but – it didn’t quite work out that way. Dr. Lee...
A Letter To Our Son at 40 Weeks Pregnant
Dearest Little Bear, This was originally going to be a sweet, sentimental letter to you (that I still plan on finishing) but for now, in the extreme heat and humidity I have dealt with the past week, I have one thing to say and one thing to say only. Please. Just. Come. Out. We want to meet you, and I am not above bribery. I will let you stay up all night and we can have a party at your crib if you just come out on your own. Consider this your official eviction notice because Mommy is very tired,...
33 weeks, 3 days – 3D Ultrasound Pictures and an Update!
Surprise! I bet you thought that you were done hearing from me…ha ha, you were wrong! So, I’m updating here because we’ve got 6ish weeks left over here. If it seems like time has flown by for you as the reader, it has over here too! For my video game nerds – you know how in Zelda: Majora’s Mask, you control the flow of time? Sometimes it feels like someone has played the “inverted song of time” (slow), and other times it feels like we’ve played the “song of double time”. It feels slower (to me) right now because the baby...
Infertility vs Mother’s Day
Time to get uncomfortable. Ready to feel some feelings? Let’s talk about Mother’s Day. I’ve discussed this with a few other women in my support group who have struggled with infertility and have completed their journey – either through stopping treatment, or achieving success through IVF, adoption, or surrogacy. And a common thread among us is extreme difficulty reconciling your feelings about motherhood when you have closely identified (and lived) as an infertile person for a long time. You mark days like “Mother’s Day” and “Father’s Day” on your calendar and make a mental note about how that will be a day...
Two Hour Glucose Tolerance Test A.K.A. Lime-drink Hell and Results
On Friday, March 31st – both Dean and I went to the Quest Lab that is closest to our house to do my glucose tolerance test. Also known as the test that searches for gestational diabetes. Or, as Mr. Brimley would say: Now, the reason I selected this particular Quest office was because they offered a 7:15AM appointment time, and when you are pregnant and fasting, a) the sooner you can eat, the better and b) I am still working, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t impact the office with my absence. As always, we came prepared – Dean...
Over Halfway Done – Progress Report!
As a quick aside before I update everyone – the pregnancy comparisons to food are super weird. Last week it was a Mango, and now it’s an ear of corn? Okay, app. Whatever you say. I will be 24 weeks this Thursday, the 23rd and have my routine OB appointment the following day. According to both my pregnancy apps, his brain is continuing to develop and his lungs are developing the “branches” of his respiratory tree which will help him breathe in the outside world. Apparently, he is now considered ‘viable’, even though he would need intensive neonatal care. How am...
Anatomy Ultrasound
This morning, with a VERY full bladder, we had our anatomy scan. Now, before everyone gets all: Let me get through a few things first. You still with me, or are you scrolling down to get to the good part? Come on, stick with me. In addition to finding out what private parts our child has, this is a very important ultrasound where measurements are taken to make sure the baby is growing at a healthy rate, certain chromosomal defects can be ruled out, any potential issues with the placenta (i.e. placenta previa), and that the visible organs are functioning/present. Well, this...
The Baby is the Size of What?
I told everyone that I would keep you posted, and look, here I am keeping my promises. We are officially 18 weeks pregnant – only two weeks off from the halfway mark! Crazy right? According to my two pregnancy apps, the baby is now the size of a sweet potato, or – a sugar glider. I’m not sure how I feel about our baby being compared to vegetables and animals, but sugar gliders are pretty adorable, so I’ll allow it. In my first trimester, I had some bloodwork done by Dr. Lee that indicated I may have hyperthyroidism caused by...
Pregnancy Announcement MEGAPOST
Well, now that the cat is out of the bag, I can share this super mega post that I have been saving since our FET. I recorded evvverrything! I’m sorry I kept it secret for so long. Well, sorry but not sorry, because it has been a very stressful time for me too! So, are you ready for a serious novel? No? Well here it is anyways: After a Frozen Embryo Transfer, you count the days as “post transfer” until you have your hcg bloodwork, which is referred to as your “hcg beta”. My transfer was on 10/25, and here...