25 Weeks - Scan Pics

I will be 25 weeks tomorrow. When I went to the docs last week, I was measuring ahead using the tape. I really thought this was strange, since I had just popped and really did not think I was that big.

And, even though a few weeks ago I could feel the baby, I really can't feel the baby anymore. The heartbeat was fine on the doppler. But, between the two things, they wanted me to go for a scan.

Heck, I am not going to turn down a "freebie" scan. They scan was today. The last scan I had, I was pretty upset about the lack of pictures. Yes, I KNOW - an u/s is not only for cool pics for the mom. But, I got a pic of a foot, and the skull. The skull, not even the face or a profile pic.

So, today, I was a little more proactive. I saw a cute pic on the screen, and said - "Oh, that is a cute one, can I get a pic of that?" I got a few. But, the weird thing is that I asked about a 3d pic, and then got all 3d pics. Well - she did these last. She did not give me any regular pics. Was she not going to give me ANY? I know lots of people like the 3d the best, but sometimes they look like aliens or just plain weird. Regular scans are cool too.

Yes, I am glad I got some pics. But, I really think I would not have gotten any unless I said something. It is possible that I did not get any regular pics because she really did not concentrate on the face or anything "cool"

So, here are the pics - and yup, kinda looks like an alien. I can already see a resemblance to Cora and Frank. I have no idea why the one pic is a half pic, that is how it printed

27 Week OB Appointment

I am starting to hate going to the OB office. Every time I go there, I get yet another thing that has to be monitored.

So, here is the run-down of the appointment today. It was a marathon appointment, with my repeat 3 hour glucose test, growth scan due to the marginal insertion of the cord, and my first 3rd tri appointment. What? Did I just say 3rd trimester??? Yipee.

Weight - Lost 3 pounds. Yikes. I have to go back and look at all of the ups and downs, but I know that this basically means that I have yet to gain any weight. I am pretty sure I am now less than I was at my first OB appointment. I always ask not to know the actual number, just want to know how much I am up or down. The doc is not concerned at all, especially since I am no skinny minny.

Blood Pressure - just fine at 110/80. Even though my norm is 110/70, she said it was fine.

Growth Scan - um, yeah - I got a big fatty on my hands. No issue with growth restriction there. At 27 weeks, I am currently measuring at 27W6D. That is almost a week ahead. The baby weighs 2 lbs 9 ozs. WHAT!?!?!?!? That means I could have a linebacker on my hands. Frank was over 10 pounds at birth. Yikes!!!

I got to see the baby and got some great 3D shots, maybe I will add one to this post when I scan them. The tech said that I got great pics because there was so much fluid - which I guess makes great pics. I hear lots of fluid = good thing.

NOT!

I meet with the doc after the scan and he says that while he is not concerned about the growth at this point, the fluid is very high. OK, so extra fluid = bad thing.

He said that sometimes, if a woman has Gestational Diabetes, that it could cause extra fluid in the sac. I won't get my blood work results until next week. He said that there could be other reasons, but said that he would not go into them until we get the sugar tests back.

Must.Stay.Away.From.Google.

Google is a scary place. So, I have to go back in 2 weeks to check the fluid levels and at that time they will determine if my next growth scan will be 1 or 2 weeks after that one. They have to have 3-4 weeks in between growth scans. So, yes - I will basically be spending my life at the docs.

Oh yeah, and did I mention (yes, I know I did) - HELLO THIRD TRIMESTER!!!!!!!!

Update - Marginal Insertion of the Umbilical Cord

I spoke to my doctor today because I really needed some clarification of the info that I was given on Friday.

But, first a little vent. I call the office today and explain that I want to speak to an actual doctor as the nurse that I was speaking to really did not give me lots of info. I remembered her name, so when asked, I gave it. Told the receptionist that I really needed a doc, not a nurse to call me back. No problem, they will have the doc call back later in the day. I explained what info I needed clarified as well.

Fast forward to later in the day, the SAME nurse calls me that called me on Friday. She was really just calling to make sure what I had questions about. So, I told her and she then repeated the same info that she gave me on Friday and asked if I still needed to talk to the doc. Um, yeah...annoying.

So, the doc finally calls back. I do indeed have something called a "Marginal Insertion of the Umbilical Cord" basically that means that the cord is attached to the placenta on the side, rather than then middle. The middle is the meaty part, so of course that is where it is best.

I really needed more info about this, because there were tons of people that told me that they had it and the type of monitoring and/or complications they had. I wanted to make sure I was prepared for whatever was possible.

He said that while the marginal insertion in itself is kinda rare, most people have no complications from it. Of course I dug deeper, and asked for percentages. He said about 15-25% of pregnancies with this condition will have babies with growth restriction. That is still a pretty high number.

They will do scans starting early in the 3rd tri to check for growth, and if restricted, the level of restriction will determine how often the scans are done. It could be every 2 weeks or every 4.

If the growth seems to be a big problem, I may be admitted to the hospital to very closely monitor growth and fetal distress. OK, good to know.

I asked about a higher chance of a c-section. He said that if I fall into that 25%, then there is a high possibility that a c-section would happen. This is because if they determine that the growth is restricted, then it is best to get the baby out ASAP, so that would not include a vaginal delivery. Plus, the quicker the delivery, the less stress it puts on an already stressed baby. Again, good to know.

But, he did say that I fall into the other 75% where growth is not restricted, then a vagainal delivery would be just fine.

At least I got some more information that I did not get on Friday. So, here I am praying for the best.

Non-central Umbilical Cord

When I had my anatomy scan about a week(ish) ago, they could not get some of the measurements because of the position of the baby. The tech said everything looked OK, and it really was JUST the position of the baby. She had mentioned something about vessels or something. Honestly, I try not to get ALL the details, I go google crazy. As long as they say "everything looks great/good/swell/fab/etc" I just take that info and run with it.

Google, as we all know, can scare the crap out of anyone, so I kinda like being naive in certain things. Of course I want to know the major stuff, but not every teeny tiny detail.

The tech did say that I will probably have growth scans later on to check the size of the baby and then she commented on how big the baby's head was. I assumed they would check the size to make sure it was not too big. Well, you know what they say about assuming.

I went back today and again the tech (same one) said everything looks great. I know they are "just" techs, but I would think they know what they are talking about, after all they have to take the pics in the correct area and know what to look for for "abnormal" results.

After my last scan, I met with the doc but she did not go over the results of the scan, I guess because it was not a complete scan.

Well, today the nurse called with results. I thought this was odd, because they have never called before after any scan and only call for bloodwork, etc if the results are abnormal.

She said that all the anatomy looks good, but I will have to do several growth scans in the 3rd Tri due to my "non-central Umbilical Cord". She said it so casually, it almost took me by surprise. Of course I was in a parking lot, could not find a pen - had a crayon instead. I asked what she meant, because no one had ever used that term before. It sounded like she was just reading it from the chart and then sounded like she was trying to get info on it.

She really could not give me a great answer other than there may be limited blood flow to the baby and that is why growth scans are needed. But, that most people have no problem at all with this. It was really late in the day and since she said it so matter of factly, I figured instead of asking to speak to the doc asap, I would go home and google it.

I googled as soon as I got home, but can't find anything. Seriously, I can not find one speck of any info using that term. I checked all the major medical sites, used all my google skills, everything. Can't find anything.

So, now I am thinking that she gave me the totally wrong term - ugh.

I plan on calling the doc on Tues - the next business day to get a straight answer. But, I am hoping maybe someone who reads this blog might have somekind of answer.

Anyone know anything about this?

U/S today - not good news

I am 6w1d. The doc is basing everything on my IUI date.

I went in for my first u/s today. There was no yolk sac and no fetal pole. Although I knew there was a possibility that we would not see a heartbeat, I knew that by this time we would see the gestational sac, the yolk sac, and a fetal pole. I was hoping for a heartbeat.

The PA did the scan today, and she looked and looked and said, "this is not good news, we really should be seeing at least the yolk sac by this point"

I will be going back on Monday for a re-check, but she says at this point it does not look good.

You know it is bad when your nurse says, "Don't worry about the co-payment, we will figure that out later" And then grabs the tissues for me.

I am devestated. I know people will say, "Hey, maybe you just have a late implanter" or "Maybe it just is a late bloomer" etc - now as much as I WANT those things to be true - When the doctors office says it does not look good, I kind of have to believe them.

My husband was there with me today - thank God. I was not bawling hysterical. Having him there helped me feel not as alone.

OH and THANK GOD I decided not to go for this u/s on my birthday!!!!

Beta # 3 and U/S issue

Beta # 3 was today - 1700!!!

Here is the run down of betas

#1 - 165
#2 - 626
#3 - 1700

Of course, I am thrilled. They have more than doubled each time. My progesterone has dropped a tiny bit. So, now I am on supplements twice a day. My level was 20, the doctor does not seem concerned. But, like he said, better safe than sorry. I will take them 100 times a day if that means keeping this pregnancy.

When my doc called, he said that I could come in next week for my first u/s. He wants me to come in my Wednesday (my birthday). I think I might push it to Friday though.

Some info: I had my IUI 2 days before "standard" day for ovulaltion. So, today I am either 4w6d (IUI) or 4w4d (LMP). I know 2 days really do not make a difference in the grand scheme of things. But they make a difference at this early stage.

If I go next wed, I will either be 5w6d (IUI) or 5w4d (LMP). I am 100% sure that I will not see a heartbeat at this early date.

Since u/s are on a walk-in basis, I was thinking about going in on Friday. The dr said it was ok if I wanted to wait.

I figure that:

1 - I really don't want to have the u/s on my birthday
2 - If we wait until Friday - we have a better (but not guaranteed) chance of seeing the heartbeat.

On the Friday I will be either 6w1d (IUI) or 5w6d (LMP) - which obvious is no guarantee that we will see a heartbeat anyway - but better than on the Wed.

This is where a few days DOES make a big difference.

So, as much as I would LOVE an u/s as soon as possible, I am almost 100% positive that we are going to wait until the Friday. Maybe it will be a GREAT b-day present (2 days late)

Good Follie Check today

Went in this morning for a follie check........I had FOUR!!!

OK, OK - that is a small white lie. I do have four, but 1 is small, 2 medium, and ONE IS 21!!

So, I have a 9, 11, 13, & 21.

So, I will trigger today (as soon as I get home) and then seduce my husband. Oh, yeah - and then go to spend the night at my mom's house.

So, the doctor knows that time is of the issue with this cycle. So, I told him that I told my hubby that we had an "appointment" tonight and said "oh, how romantic" Everyone in the room cracked up laughing - me, the nurse, the Dr. It was so funny.

So, I will go home, do some last minute packing and then jump him. That is the plan.

Then on Friday, I will start taking the Progesterone.

So, please everyone out there send me some vibes that our timing works well.

Day 13 Scan and Bloodwork

Went in today for U/S and B/W. Today is cd13.

I have 2 measurable follicles.

Left - 14 mm (seems pretty small to me)
Right - 20 mm (big enough - I have no idea)

So, I was given my "collection cup" and the doctor will call this afternoon when my bloodwork comes back. The Doc will let me know when to trigger with the Ovidrel. So, I guess depending on my LH level, my IUI could be as early as tomorrow or anytime until Thursday. So, we will have to wait and see.

I googled "mature follicle size" and it seems like you need at least 18mm - but 20 still seems small to me. And the 14 is really small. So, hopefully both will grow nice and big so when I trigger I have at least 1 really good one.

Concerned about IUI timing

I went in for CD3 stuff today. Everthing looks good.

I was originally going to do clomid 3-7, then go in on CD11 for u/s and bloodwork and then probably do trigger on cd 12 (evening) and IUI on CD14 (this is assuming that everything goes according to "plan"

So, my office is actually a satelite office of many offices - which is not a problem.

But, today the doc said the I have to do clomid on CD 5-9 and then go back to the office on CD13 for u/s and bloodwork. - this is mainly because my office is not open on the weekends.

If I trigger on the evening of CD13, there is a possibility that I could ovulate on my own with just the clomid on CD14 - right?. So if I have the IUI 36 hrs after trigger then that would be CD15, and I could have missed my window.

The nurse did not seemed worried, so I am not sure if I should be worried.

If you take clomid 5-9, instead of 3-7, maybe you ovualte later than CD14? I hope so. I would really hate to mess up my first IUI because of a timing problem.

I asked if I should bring the trigger with me on CD13. I guess if I am ready to trigger on CD13 at the appointment, then I would do so and then still have the IUI on CD14 (24 hours after trigger)

I know the RE knows what he is talking about - and I don't want to question his authority, the timing just makes me nervous.