It's Alive!!

On Monday, September 13, Chris and I went in for the first u/s and doctor's appt.

Before this, I was not nervous and felt confident (although I wondered if I was deluded) about the status of this baby and pregnancy. However, about 2 days before hand, I found myself getting increasingly nervous! I realized it was because I was flashing back to the last time I had an u/s and the loss of that baby.

At the doc's office, I started to feel better because of stupid little things. The woman who checked me in was different than the time before. Even the u/s tech was different. For some reason, I felt these were likely good signs. It is crazy what your mind does to you!

The best part was the u/s itself. The baby was a good size. And after a while, I could even see the flicker of it's heart! Oh my goodness! I started to cry with joy!

According to my LMP (last menstrual period) I was supposed to be 8 weeks 6 days when we went for the u/s. However, I was pretty sure (since I chart) that I ovulated on CD 18 (4 days later than normal) so I would have been happy if the baby measured at 8 weeks 2 days, and actually expected that to be the case. Instead, it measured at 8 weeks 4 days. The heartbeat was nice and strong at 180 beats a minute. Yay!!!

After all that, and meeting with the doc, Chris and I went home with very happy hearts. I had wanted to wait for 2 more weeks to tell my folks so I could tell them in person. However, I could't hold back after the appointment. I wanted to tell the world. So, we shared the info with both our families that same day. Needless to say, everyone is happy and excited, but....still holding back a bit because there is still a chance of another loss.

Then Wednesday came, and when I went to the bathroom in the morning, I found brown spotting on the TP. I figured this was old blood, most likely from the pap and vaginal u/s. So, I wasn't worried. 2 hours later though, I found a couple of spots of pink on the TP and became concerned. So, I called the doc's office and spoke to the nurse. She and I determined it was probably nothing to worry about (I didn't have any more spotting other than those 2 spots), but she said I could come in again on Thursday for another u/s to make sure. How could I refuse for peace of mind?

We went in again and the baby was good! Nice strong heartbeat (170) and measuring right at 9 weeks. Awesomeness!

Below is a picture from the first u/s.

And to think, I asked God for this.

Last Saturday, it started--morning sickness. I had had on and off nausea since about 4 1/2 weeks, but I really got to a new point of nausea this past Saturday. It happened when I was preparing dinner--Carnitas.

I cooked the carnitas in a slow cooker and had started shredding the pork. Suddenly, I wasn't feeling so good, but I toughed my way through it. Then I started setting the table and putting things out since I anticipated my lovely husband being home in 15 minutes or so. Well....I couldn't finish putting things out. I so didn't feel good. So, I went to our bedroom and laid back for a while until Chris came home. Once he got home, I asked him to put out the remaining items and then joined him for dinner. I ate one carnita and then started a 2nd with no issues, until I was almost done with the 2nd. I had to leave and headed for the bathroom where dry heaves ensued.

Chris was so awesome! He cleaned everything up and told me to relax. Ever since that day, after dinner, I go into dry heaves and sometimes in the morning I go into dry heaves in the shower. I still get hungry but after I eat I feel sick. Oh, the joys!

This morning, though, things have changed. I was feeling pretty good until sometime in the middle of my shower I didn't feel so good anymore. After I brushed my teeth, I lost it in the sink and actually vomitted for the 1st time. The worst part about it is I had no food on my stomach so all I ended up throwing up was acid. Yuck!

It may seem like I'm complaining, but I'm honestly not. I asked God for morning sickness as a sign that the baby will be okay. I never had this degree of morning sickness with any of my past pregnancies. A bit of nausea with my last one, but never to this degree. So, while it isn't pleasant, I am grateful because I believe this is a sign that our baby is okay.

So happy!!

On Sunday, I went to the bathroom and found 2 small spots of pink on the TP after I wiped. Needless to say, especially after 3 losses, I flipped! Of course, Chris wasn't home. He was at work. I didn't want to unnecessarily worry him either....unless fully necessary. So, I wiped several more times throughout the day and even check internally with TP and found nothing---no more blood whether it be pink, red, or brown. I started to calm down, but I was still feeling paranoid--constantly checking my boobs, etc.

Monday morning, soon after the doctor's office opened, I called and left a message for my Ob's nurse to call me. She called fairly quick and I told her what happened. She was very understanding. She told me it was likely nothing, but to be on the safe side, Chris and I would have to forgo marital relations for a couple weeks. She would page the doctor and let her know in case she wanted me to do anything different.

Well, this morning the nurse called again and said that Dr. Quinn agreed with her, but we could run my hcG again if I wanted. I said yes, right away. Part of me was scared doing that because I liked the idea of living in blissful ignorance if something was wrong. However, I didn't want to be surprised like I was last time around and find out my baby died weeks after it happened. So....I went in for the bloodwork this morning.

I just got called back by the nurse again with the results. She seemed in a good mood, so I hoped that meant we had good news. We did!!! My hcG was 11,470!!! Awesome numbers for 6 weeks!! I'm so excited and happy! Yay baby! Yay God! Let's keep this baby cooking! :-)