bleeding :(

   So here is a little background information to get the whole picture. I went last Friday for my 7 week ultrasound and as you know we found 1 healthy baby. But we also found a pretty sizable clot, which they suspect to be where the other embryo attempted to attach but didn't survive. They said they would just keep an eye on it and most likely it will just reabsorb back into my body and not cause any worries. The clinic said it was common and they have seen it before so they didn't seem to worried but by the face that the person doing the ultrasound I got the feeling that it was bigger than they like and expect.
   So that takes us to Monday night, I got to come home from work early because we weren't busy enough and I climbed into bed at 3am. I was awoken at 4am by a gush of blood. I ran to the bathroom where I saw more bleeding than I have ever wanted to see. I started to really worry but knew that at just 7 weeks pregnant there was nothing anyone could do. I cleaned up and went back to bed to attempt to sleep. I had some pretty intense cramping and was really scared. But I was able to go back to sleep and woke at 9. I went to tell the husband what had happened and as I stood up from the couch more gushing blood. Again I really started to worry about this baby. I called the clinic and they got me in immediately. I was relieved that they could see me so quickly but know that when they put you on the schedule immediately it is pretty serious. I went to the clinic and had another ultrasound where they saw that the clot was almost completely gone, good news. But while I was there she saw the amount of bleeding and was concerned. So she put me on an additional progesterone medication and bedrest. But the baby looked good. And that was all I was concerned about.
   I went home and was happy to hear that the baby was ok and that the clot was gone but I remained scared that the bleeding would return. I followed her directions strictly and the bleeding has stopped. The cramping has stopped and I am off bedrest!! All good news!
   Tomorrow I am 8 weeks exactly. One more week till my last ultrasound at the fertility clinic, and then hopefully I will be cleared to go to my OB and be a regular patient. I am hoping that the bleeding is done and the only excitement to be seen is the good news of a healthy baby.

7 weeks today!

Today was our 7 week ultrasound and it went fabulous. One healthy baby with a strong heartbeat! It was so great to share it with the IF and his cousin. I am so happy for them. Another ultrasound in two weeks and then I get released from the fertility clinic and off to my regular ob. So happy its hard to put into words.

ugggghh that smell!

I despise this part of being pregnant, and I remember it so vividly. This morning my husband and I prepped a nice carne asada steak and all the toppings for a full Mexican dinner. We let the steak marinate all day. It sounded so amazing and I was so ready to dig in until the moment he started cooking it. At that point I lost all my appetite and started to get nauseous. No matter what I did the smell of dinner was making me sick. It was all throughout the house and everyone was anxious for dinner, everyone but me. So as the family sat down to a big Mexican feast I sat there with them and ate saltine crackers with peanut butter and jelly on them, my staple for a small meal when nothing else sounds good. I distinctly remember this feeling when I was pregnant with my second and I also remember that it is going to happen at the most random of times and with the most random  of foods.

offical due date...

I had the last of my weekly blood draws on Monday and my hcg levels continue to rise. I am super happy that no longer on Mondays do I need to go to the clinic and get poked for more and more blood. I am shocked that I even have blood left at this point. I counted on my calendar and so far since August I have had 10 tubes of blood drawn. But hey I'm done!!!
I also received the good news that my levels were good and the clinic told me time to schedule the ultrasounds! My first one is on Oct. 21st. I am ecstatic! One of the IF's will be able to make it up to see the baby for the first time. How crazy is that? In 10 days we will get to see this little miracle via ultrasound. We will also get to see if it is one or two babies, although I am pretty sure that it is just one. But one never knows till we see the ultrasound.
I am currently 5 weeks and 4 days. The clinic told me my official due date is... JUNE 9TH! I am excited. I have had two other June babies and it just feels right to deliver in the summer.  I am feeling good, still tired but no sickness... yet. Knock on wood. I think it's gonna hit me how real this all is when the ultrasound comes and we have proof right before our eyes. I can't wait to share that amazing moment with the IF!.

Whew.... I'm tired!

I am 5 weeks and 1 day pregnant and boy am I exhausted. I can't seem to get enough sleep. I wake up from a good nights sleep and all I want to do is go back to sleep. I never get to do that with 3 little kids running around but I would sure like to. I have been taking naps in the middle of the day prior to working, totally not normal for me, and falling asleep earlier than the kids sometimes. I guess all my energy is going to get this baby to grow. So I will sacrifice and sleep, all for the baby. (he he I just love any excuse to get a little extra time sleeping!)
Labwork again Monday morning and then it's time to schedule the ultrasound.

3rd beta

  I went in for my usual Monday labwork. Great news, my beta, (hcg, pregnancy hormone) continues to rise. Today's resulted @ 208! Such good news to hear.
Nice to know it's burried it's way into my lining and there for the long haul.

4 weeks and 3 days

Your Baby's Development at Week 4 of Pregnancy

The fourth week of pregnancy marks the beginning of the embryonic period, which is when the blastocyst begins to transform into an embryo. The embryonic period is when the baby's brain, spinal cord, heart, and other organs begin to form. Your baby is now about 1/25 of an inch long (0.04 inches).

 

The embryo is made of three layers:

 

• The top layer, the ectoderm, will give rise to a groove along the midline of your baby's body. This will become the neural tube, where your baby's brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves, and backbone will develop.
   
• Your baby's heart and a primitive circulatory system will form in the middle layer of cells, which is called the mesoderm. This layer of cells will also serve as the foundation for your baby's bones, muscles, kidneys, and much of the reproductive system.
   
• The inner layer of cells, the endoderm, will become a simple tube lined with mucous membranes. Your baby's lungs, intestines, and bladder will develop here.
   

The placenta has also started to form -- it is producing hCG, among other hormones, which is an important hormone in pregnancy.

 

It's amazing all that is going on inside of me.