In conclusion

It's hard to believe that in starting in 2003 it was such a huge struggle to get pregnant and stay pregnant and now my family is complete. Not only with Dylan in 2006 but now with our little Sophia Rose. I sometimes thought I would never be able to have another child much less two more and a girl no less. I am truly blessed to have all of my children and to be able to stay home with them. My second son recently asked what did I dream of being when I grew up and I said I was living my dream because all I really ever wanted to be was a wife and a mother.

To those who are struggling to TTC I strongly believe in the power of pray and finding a good reproductive endocrinologist. If you feel in your gut that there is something wrong and your doctor won't listen then find a new doctor. I wasted a lot of time listening to doctors tell me there was nothing wrong only to go a long period of time not being able to conceive or having several losses. Listen to your gut. I can also tell you that your average OB/GYN has no clue about fertility issues and that is why I recommend a good reproductive endocrinologist. I was blessed to have found a really good endocrinologist but the one before that said there was nothing wrong with me.
All my fertility issues were due to my thyroid which needed to be removed in order to conceive and carry to term. I also have to closely watch my thyroid levels because if they are off I will suffer from loss.

Now that chapter of my life is over and I hope this blog has helped some woman out there have hope in her TTC journey or at least provided some good links.

Birth Story

So here is where the story begins...............warning "TMI" alert..................

I was pretty miserable the last few weeks. I was in pain or discomfort most of the time and sleeping was not happening much either. On Monday the 20th my husband informed me that the following week he would have to start working out of town (a two hour drive away from home) and might have to spend some nights too. I already wanted her to come out but now I really felt the pressure to get her out by that weekend. I had been about 2cm for a couple of weeks and had been having really good bh cx for a long time. Then my husband called me Thursday the 23rd and said that he would have to start working out of town on Friday and then I really freaked. As I laid in bed that night I prayed and begged God that if I was going to go into labor to let it happen before 4am when my husband would be leaving so he would stay home and not have to drive 2 hours back home.

At 2:30am I woke up. I noticed I was having cx about every 5 minutes but they were not lasting very long. I didn't get to excited. At 3am I got up to pee and checked myself. I was happy to feel that I was completely effaced and what I thought to be 3-4 cm and could feel the bag of waters slightly bulging through. At 4am I checked again and it felt like I had dialed a little more because the bag was bulging a little more. I was sure I was at least 4cm so I thought for sure that I would have the baby sometime within 24 hours. I told my husband that he could go to work but because I only had about 2 hours of hard labor last time I was concerned about the two hour drive home. He said he wasn't going to leave and stayed home from work.

I'm not sure what time but my bag really started bulging and I felt about 4-5cm. My midwife had a full day at the birth center and I really wanted to stay home and have the baby but I knew that I might end up at the center. We packed the car just in case. As the morning went on and it turned to afternoon my cx never got to a minute but stayed pretty consistent at about 2 -5 minutes apart. I ate, talked and laughed in-between them. When I would check myself it didn't feel like I was moving past the 4-5cm mark. I did notice that with the cx I would feel a lot of pressure in my back and rectum and would feel the need to move through the cx. I have NEVER felt like moving when I had a cx when I was in labor with my boys. When I would watch a birth video and see the moms moving/swaying through a cx I just couldn't relate to that but this time I had to move through them. Around 2 my midwife came. I just knew I was stuck at 4-5cm and when she checked me I was 8. I couldn't believe it. Of course now that she was here the cx started to get worse and at around 3pm my water "popped". I have never experienced that before. My water had always started leaking the day before my boys were born. It felt like a small bomb went off in my belly. After that I got in the tub but through out the entire labor I could not lay down on my back or my side so all I could do was sit in the tub and that seem to slow things down so after eating two chocolate chip cookies and a peanut butter and jelly I got out and then things really picked up. She had been moving the entire time during labor and with my last I had two hours of hard labor and then it felt sooooo good to push him out but this time feeling her move down and pushing her out felt like my hips and rectum were going to explode. It only took a couple of pushes and at 3:59pm she was born. The last hour, hour and a half it was bad but that was it. She is my smallest baby at 7lbs, 1oz, 18inches, 12inch head. At the peds on Monday she was 6lbs, 8oz with a 13inch head. It was very hard the first few days. I knew life was going to change once she came and that dealing with a very strong welled, hyper 2 &1/2 year old would be challenging but it was even harder then I though. Any thoughts of being super mom have gone down the drain. We are slowly starting to get some balance and I am trying to enjoy every moment of her being so little.

Picture can be found on my myspace.

I think labor has started

I've been up since 2:30am with contractions so I think we just might have a baby today.

38 Weeks

Not much to say other than I'm still pregnant. I haven't gained any weight in about three weeks so I'm still at the 20lb mark. Hoping to have this baby soon. She is still at 0 station and I do seem to be a little more effaced and a little more dilated but of course that means nothing, lol.

Maternity Shoot Pictures

These were taken by http://www.timelessimage.biz/. I haven't got my CD with all the pic's on it yet but saw that they had put these up on their website so I thought I would share what I had so far. These were taken at about 36 weeks, 2 or 3 days.

37 week check up

I am 2 cm dilated and about 60% effaced. Baby is at 0 station and my cervix is nice and stretchy. Of course all of this really means nothing because I could go from 0 to 10 and have a baby in 2 hours or be 4 cm dilated for a month. No weight gain this last week so still at 20 pounds.

Belly Cast

36 weeks 2 days

36 weeks

So I've gained 20 pounds and everything looks good. I have my maternity portraits this Wednesday. I have my Pampered Mama Spa day Friday at the Birth Center, that comes with the birth package, and I choose the 30 minute massage. I am doing my belly cast this weekend, unless I have to move it up because little Miss decides to show, lol. I had prayed for the 25th but I'm so ready for her to come now. It would be nice the have her this weekend. I pretty much can't move without there being some kind of pain or discomfort. I now go to prenatals and the chiro every Monday. Hard to believe we're finally at the end of this journey and we will be meeting her very soon.

35 weeks

My thyroid blood work came back low so now I am on 112mg. That's the highest I've ever been on but she said once I have the baby I could go back down to 100mg. I am hoping the adjustment in the meds will give me the energy boost I need to get the things that I need to get done finished before the baby comes. Hopefully only 1 1/2 to 3 more weeks left.

34 week pics

34 week check up

Things are moving right along. I have gain 18 pounds now, I think most of it is in my butt, thighs and hips, LOL. I am going to try to get the house in order the next two weeks so that if this baby wants to come earlier, rather then later, I will have most every thing done. I'm hoping not to go past 38 &1/2 weeks but she needs to wait till at least 36 &1/2 weeks. Place your bets now, LOL.

32 week prenatal check up

I've gained 16lbs. My midwife said I could gain another 10 pounds before it's over. I'm hoping NOT, lol. Baby is head down and VERY active. Her HB is in the 150's. My BP is nice and low. Everything is looking good.

Baby Shower

I had canceled my original baby shower but a friend of mine got a couple of my closest friends together for a little party at a beautiful bed and breakfast in Orange City, The Alling House.

31 weeks

I just had to share this!

She's Still A Girl!!

Soooooooo........................

I couldn't sleep so I've been up since 4am. I went through the Sunday paper, clipped coupons, made french toast, weeded the flower bed, cleaned the front porch, did at least 6 loads of laundry, cleaned the stuff that got dirty from my shower backing up (that's another story,lol), I think I did some other stuff but can't remember right now, eating my third breakfast and it's only 9:30am. I think it's to early for this BUT is this what they call "Nesting", LOL?!

Foot Print Certificate

Thought I would share the foot print certificate I made for baby Sophie.

Just sharing...........

another diaper cake I made for a friend who needed one for a baby shower gift.

28 Week Update

Had my 28 week prenatal today. I start going every 2 weeks now. I have gained 11 pounds. Baby seems to be head down now. Not feeling so psycho any more unless my blood sugar is low. Still very tired and having to eat a lot throughout the day to keep my blood sugar up but in all things are good.

27 weeks 5 days

26 weeks

Saw my endo doc and she said my thyroid levels were low so I am back up to 100 on my meds instead of 88 but no worries just have to go back in 8 weeks.

26 weeks

24 week check up

Found out today that the baby is transverse. My midwife didn't seemed worried but I can't help but worry a little because I have never had any of my babies do that at this point in the pregnancy. I just have to trust God to work it out and leave the worry to Him. Other then that I have gained a total of 8bls and my hypoglicimia has come back just not as bad as it was. Leaving for VA tomorrow and will be gone through the 26th.

Embyronic & Fetal Development Link

You can slide the bar to see exactly how big the baby is at your stage of pregnancy.
http://www.umm.edu/pregnancy/000088.htm

22 1/2 weeks

Thought I'd share

I made theses for my sister inlaw, who is due anyday now with her first.

21 weeks

WOW.... Half Way There!!

It seems so long ago the road to getting pregnant and now I am half way there. I still worry from time to time but I try to give those worries to God as soon as they enter my mind. I think I have pretty much chosen Sophia Rose as her name. I am also still praying for Oct. 25th as her B-Day, because it's my oldest brothers B-Day. I have steadily been buying things but I am keeping it within the "clearance" and "sale" range. This girl thing can get expensive, lol. I'm not buying much for each given age bracket because I know they grow so fast and won't wear it all. I have gained about 5-6 pounds so that's not to bad but I know I may start putting it on now and I expect to really "pop" out by the end of this next month. I am feeling waaaaay better but still have some nausea from time to time and there is still a lot on my list of "not eating that yet", lol. 8 more weeks till my third trimester. I'm looking forward to a bigger, rounder belly so I can start taking pictures.

Can't write much but want to let everyone know I had my sono and.......................................

After 5 angel babies and three boys here on earth, I am having a girl. I'm still in a little bit of shock right now but wanted to share the news.

16 weeks Update

I am happy to announce that this old cow can go longer in-between grazings, lol. I am still dealing with the hypoglycemia but not nearly as bad as it was. My menu has expanded to more kinds of foods too. I am still tired a lot but as a whole I say things are moving in an upper direction and I hope in a few weeks to be back to "normal", ya right, hahahaha, normal for me anyways. I am feeling movement just not on the outside yet and it's not consistant yet either. I have gained about 3-4 pounds so far.

NO SUBSTITUTE

Swings for arms,
Bottles for breasts,
Advice from the 'experts'
Who think they know best.

'Binky's and monitors
And all sorts of clutter
Think they can take
The place of a mother.

Pre-schools and daycares,
And babysitters, too,
Think they can do
What mothers should do.

Oh listen, dear mother
To words that are true -
No one or nothing
Can care just like you.

Your children are blessings
Loaned from above,
More than money or things
What they need is your love.


By Cynthia Flanagan.

Second Trimester Here I Come....

I can't believe I can say that now. It's still seems so surreal. I am still sick as a dog and very tired. I don't go back to my endo doc till next month. I will also know in a month what I am having, again, I am assuming it's another boy, lol. My friend is still trying to get pregnant. We are hopeful that this will be the month and if so we would be three months apart and she will be due the same time we had our last two kids. I'm hoping not to gain to much weight in the second tri because I know no matter what I do I will gain in the third tri. I only gained 28lbs with the last two but I would like to keep it even lower then that if I can. That's it for now.

11 week check in

I went to my endocrinologist yesterday and she said my blood work came back that I am severely hypoglycemic. She made me get a blood sugar monitor and said to be eating more protein. I am hoping once the placenta takes over that it will get better and that should happen soon. Still sick 24/7 and the tiredness has come back with a vengeance.

I couldn't help myself. My name is Donna and I'm a POASaholic.

I had a over whilming urge to POAS. I guess the POASaholic in me will never die, lol. So here it is, 10 weeks and 4 days. It's a Dollar Tree test. I just love seeing those lines come up right away.

Boy or Girl.......

That be the question. I have my sono appointment for June 2nd. I will be 17 weeks 6 days then so I should be far enough along for them to be able to tell. My next prenatal is April 30th.

First Prenatal Appointment

I had it on Thursday. We couldn't hear the heartbeat but she said no worries cause it happens all the time that early plus I had just had the sono on Monday and saw it. My next appointment is the 3oth. I will probably stop by the birth center sometime next weekend to see if we can get the HB cause you all know I can't wait till the end of the month, lol. I have one of those home things you can buy at walmart to hear the heart beat but it is way to early for mine to pick it up but I can hear the baby moving. I took a big leap and regestered for free baby samples and coupons this last week too. We will tell my husbands family by the end of the month. We like to wait till 12-13 weeks before we tell them, we'll see if we make it till then.

It's Official......

I'm Pregnant!!! The sono today confirmed I am right on target and baby looked great. Due date of Nov 4th but praying for Oct 25, my brothers birthday and our friends daughters birthday. Thanks again for all the prayers and support.

Sono Today

The appointment is at 2pm and then I have to go straight over to the doc's. I will update later this afternoon or early evening.

My friend got me some morning sickness magic pills for the nausea. I am hoping it helps. It says it could take 3-5 days to "kick in". I try to lay down every day to help with the tiredness. Still a little worried about the sono on the 31st but I am hopeful.

Checking In

I'm still sick morning, noon and night. I would say that's a good thing even though it sucks. I wake up tired and everything requires so much effort to do. I feel hopeful about my next sono but I'm still afraid to get to excited. Dylan pointed to my belly the other night and said baby. It's not anything we have taught him so I thought that was kind of weird.

Good News!!

I can't believe I'm about to type this but.........We saw a heart beat!!! I'm in shock right now. The dates are a couple days off from where I think they should be and the sac is measuring larger then the baby but the sono guy and the doc said they weren't to concerned about it. The heart beat was 138-143 per minute. I have to get another sono in two weeks and if it's good then the doc said I would officially be labeled "NORMAL PREGNANCY". I still don't feel out of the woods yet but at least there is something to be hopeful about. Thank you so much for your prayers.

So here are where things stand,

The doctor gave me a prescription for the nausea. I have to get another sono on Monday at 2:45pm and then head over to his office. If the sono report on Monday still says there is nothing there then I will have a D&C on Tuesday. I know that God is a BIG God but I do not hold out much hope that there will be anything there and I am preparing for the D&C.

Options?

I'm going to the doc today. I have decide that I can not wait for this to happen naturally and for my sanity I need this to be over. I am going to find out what my options are and will update later.

Venting.

It's been a couple of days since I found out that this pregnancy was no longer going to turn into a beautiful healthy baby. I really wanted to let this miscarriage happen naturally but the more days that go by the more I don't know how much longer I can do this. My morning, noon and night sickness is starting to be more than I can bare. At one time it was a comfort, but now it is just a constant reminder of what will never be. I also can't stand this constant tiredness. I don't want to continue feeling this way when there is no point to it. My last blighted ovum I did not have such strong pregnancy symptoms. I am growing more and more resentful of them and feel like they are just salt in the wound. My belly continues to swell as if a cruel joke is being played on my body. I think if there is still no spotting by Monday I will get another sono just to make sure and then get into the OB to see what can be done to get this over with.

Update

I had my sono and sadly it is another blighted ovum. He said everything looked intact so I have no idea how long it will take to miscarry. My midwife is looking into what I can do naturally to help get things moving so I don't have to wait to get this done and over. I go next month to get my thyroid levels checked again and if they are still off I will not try to get pregnant until my levels are back to normal. Thank you all for your love, prayers and support.

Last post until after sono.

If nausea and tiredness is an indication of a healthy pregnancy then I'm doing great. I don't know if it is my age but I am soooooooo tired and the nausea is really starting to get bad. I'm a little surprised at how bad I feel but I look at it as a good sign that this means this pregnancy is going good and I will have a beautiful healthy baby in a few months. I am thanking God for all of my symptoms because they have been a comfort. If I didn't feel bad I would probably be worrying. I will post Monday after my sono. It is at 4:15pm so it will probably be after dinner when I post an update.

My Pregnancy Symptoms So Far.

Here are my symptoms so far. Hungry most of the time, even if food doesn't sound good. Boobs feel swollen and sore. The waves of nausea and indigestion come and go. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to get heartburn but it's stuck, if that makes any sense. I'm VERY moody and tired. I am thanking God for every one of my pregnancy symptoms, in fact when I have a moment when I'm feeling good it sometimes worries me.

5 WEEKS

Wow, I can't believe I can say that. 5 weeks seems so far away from 40 but it's one week closer then I was. Monday seems so far away too. I swear I can already feel my uterus. Again I thank you all your your prayers and support.

17 DPO

I peed on my last HPT's this morning. Saveontests and Answer HPT's from 9DPO to 17DPO. I don't think I'm going to temp anymore either.