And, the weaning continues....

More bloodwork today, I feel like I'm going to be getting bloodwork every Monday for the next 7 months! I'll be glad when it's done. Anyway, estrogen is still 1213, way above what they want of 300. Progesterone was up to 25.9, up from 18.2 even after reducing PIO down to every other day. I get to cut some more meds out! But, I do my meds after other day which is Tues and Thurs this week and due to the holiday I can't get bw done two days after a change so I have to wait to change meds on Saturday with a check on Monday!

Before I do the what baby is up to update, I just have to laugh as baby center does a little section on what is going on with me. It says and I quote "If you're like most women, you're feeling a bit more energetic now and your nausea may be starting to wane." I'm not MOST women. But, this is something I already knew after doing IVF 3 freaking times! I feel worse than ever. So, I apologize for my lack of blog reading/posting and emails but I have felt horrible. I spent the past four days in bed.

Today marks 11 weeks and 1 day! Here is what baby is up to....





Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Merry Christmas!

I had my bw rechecked this morning to make sure things didn't drop too much. Estrogen was still up at 1023! Progesterone was at 18.2. It definitely decreased but she said 18-20 is a normal range. So, I can stay at 1cc every other day. WOO HOO! I have a recheck on Monday to see about weaning more. I still have one estrogen patch and the two estrace pills to wean. She said if my numbers are still good on Monday, I can drop the PIO to 1/2cc every other day. I hope so for my butt's sake.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday with family, friends, and tons of good food!

10 Weeks, 1 day! More Bloodwork!!

I had bloodwork this morning to check on the estrogen and progesterone. My estrogen was 1522!!! It was about 900 last Monday so even after going down to 2 patches and continuing 2 estrace pills, it went up quite a bit. Sooo, I get to take a patch off. Woo hoo! We are down to 1 patch and 2 pills!!! good stuff!

The progesterone came in at 42, up from 35 last week. She said it was twice what they like to see so being my butt is purple and extremely sore, I'm going to try weaning again. The last time I tried to wean, it didn't go well, my progesterone fell from 35 to 12. We've waited another two weeks so we will give it a shot. HAHA, shot, get it? :) I would like to wait another week but given the way the holidays fall next week, I either try this week or wait til the week after. So, tonight, I do 1cc of PIO and nothing tomorrow, recheck blood on Wednesday. I'm giddy with excitement. Please work!!!

Here's what baby is up to this week:



Although he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby now has completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature. If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin. He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

Time for a poll!

Being we did the CGH testing, we know that a boy and a girl were put back. But, only one stuck! So, we have to wait like normal people to find out what baby is. In the meantime, figured that I'd put up a poll to see what everyone thinks. I've had people express opinions and it's pretty consistent, I won't say which so it doesn't push you to vote one way or another. Plus, I have a very strong gut feeling that I know what it is as well. So, have at it and VOTE!

9 Weeks, 1 Day, Bloodwork Day!

I had my progesterone and estrogen rechecked. The progesterone is back up! Thank god. It is at 35 again, where it was two weeks ago before it dropped to 12 when trying to wean me. They are not going to try to wean me this week. My estrogen is up to 969!! It was about 800ish last week after a drop in patches so I can drop another patch, yippee. They said I could drop the patch tomorrow and get levels rechecked on Thursday. But, I am going to wait until Sunday's change in patches so I can get it checked with progesterone as well. It's $185 each time I get it checked so I would rather get them checked together next week.

So, all is well for another week. I'm still feeling uneasy with the pregnancy, nervous. I wasn't going to do a weekly update this week but I'm trying to overcome my anxiety. So, here it goes, here's a photo off babycenter on what baby looks like now and below is what baby is up to!




Baby is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

Spotting is gone!

Thank god! It wasn't even really spotting, I completely freaked out for nothing. It was more of pink tinted cm which can be so typical less than 2 days after an exam and ultrasound but added with the drop in progesterone, it scared me. The fact that my estrogen did not drop is good and I'm glad to be able to atleast start that weaning process and be done to the 3 patches and two pills. The nurse said they will continue to wean me from patches and then the pills after. I do have to get my bloodwork rechecked on Monday. She said they will not try to wean me next week from progesterone. They want to get it back up to where it should be since it dropped last week. I'm glad because I was going to refuse anyways. I don't want another scare like that next week.

Also, I heard from my obgyn and all my labs came back normal with the exception of the urine. She said it had something, it was a voicemail so I couldn't understand but she said it was an indication of dehydration so to drink up!

Wonderful, spotting...

Seriously?! I don't need this after a drop in my levels. My cm was pink tinged and now I'm seeing blood. Of course, I did have the US on Monday and an exam but come on?! please stop, please go away. Of course, I'm at work, my boss doesn't know I'm pregnant, I already came in late to go to the PCP and leave early?!

CCRM just called me and the estrogen level is way above normal so I can stay on the new dosage for that!! So, that definitely makes me feel better. She felt that the spotting was definitely from the ultrasound and exam on Monday, to just take it easy. I feel better now knowing the estrogen is at a good level on the reduced meds. She tried to reassure me that the risk for miscarriage was greatly reduced at this point after seeing the hb on Monday. It helped a little, I guess...

Ok, a tad freaked out...

I got my progesterone levels back from Monday. So, last Wednesday, my progesterone was 34.9. CCRM said to drop to 1/2cc on Saturday and Sunday and get them rechecked Monday. Well, since I had an ob appt, I figured, I'd just have it done there instead of at the other place I'd been doing it at. They told me that they'd have it same day, of course, it didn't come back until today and the estrogen is still pending. Well, my progesterone dropped to 12.1! Um, that's a big drop!!! She asked if I used a different lab, I told her yes. She didn't seem concerned one bit but just said, some girls, the placenta doesn't kick in until 12 weeks so we need you to go back to 1cc. Yes, I know that the placenta doesn't kick in sometimes until 12 weeks but how could the progesterone drop so much from just going on 1/2cc of progesterone for two days?!

Updated Photos of Baby :)

I had my initial OB appt today being my gyn no longer delivers, have I mentioned how sad I am about that?? Anyways, everything looked good, measuring 8w3d, right on target! She got a history and did the US and exam. I liked her very much, seems nice. She is referring me out to a pulmonologist being I am having such a hard time with my asthma since being pregnant. I didn't even have to ask, before I said anything, she said off you go! I got tons of blood taken for all kinds of stuff, tsh, hiv, etc. It was pretty uneventful, the way we like it!

I do have to apologize for my lack of responding on everyone's blogs. I really haven't been feeling well and just trying to get through each day. Forgive me!!!

Progesterone and Estrogen Update!

Well, my estrogen is up to over 900 now. It's good to hear that since at the last check it was 500 ish after being in the 700's. It was scary to hear that drop. So for estrogen, I still need to take my two estrace pills but can cut down to 3 patches on Saturday!

My progesterone is 34.9. She told me I could switch to 1cc every other day but then asked about the spotting. I got so excited and she said you know what, stay at 1cc a day and go to 1/2cc per day on Saturday. So, while it's not to every other day, atleast it is a drop in meds which will hopefully lead to every other day PIO shots!!

I have to get my bloodwork rechecked on Tuesday. My poor poor veins. I'd been hitting my right side for so long and it finally blew. So, I went to the left and after only one stick, it was bad as well. This last draw, we went back to the right since it had time to heal and it's bad again too. I have no idea which vein to do next time.

Atleast, this is a start in the right direction of decreasing meds!! hooray!!

Big Sigh of Relief

I was doing so well. The bleeding stopped and I was a little anxious but realizing it is normal. Then, I went onto the first trimester board on the bump. A girl posted she had spotted on Friday and went into her regular ob appt. She miscarried. Yeah, that sent my anxiety ski high. So, I called CCRM got a script and rushed over to the local RE. Everything is fine, measuring 6w6d and I'm 7w1d so right on target with heartbeat in the 140's! All is good for now. Thanks for everyone's comments and concerns, it really did help.