Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The past few weeks

On the last day of 2013, I thought I should update my blog as to how things have been over here. The past few weeks had been really terrible over here with lot of sickness and I didn't have the energy or mood to blog.

My husband came down with the flu and I caught it from him. I didn't know I was having the flu and thought it was a cold. For two days, I had chest congestion and a fever which wouldn't budge from 101 F. Thankfully, I decided to call my NaPro OB and she advised me to get to the Urgent Care to test for the Flu. Well, I was surprised when the nasal swab came back positive for Influenza. I had to go the ER and after waiting for two hours, I got hooked up on IV Fluids to break the fever. I was so worried about the little one and was in tears. Thankfully, the nurse did an ultrasound while in the ER and we were able to see our baby for a few seconds. They also put me on Tamiflu for five days. For the next two weeks, I had severe chest congestion and sinus headaches. Not fun at all! I had to go the Urgent Care again for wheezing and they gave me Nebulizer and Albuterol spray. Though I didn't want to take any medications while pregnant, I didn't have much of an option and the doctors kept assuring me that the meds were fine.

I couldn't make it for my 13 weeks OB appt because of the Flu. Instead, I had an appt in the 14th week which meant I had crossed over to the second trimester. We heard the baby's heart beat on doppler. This was the first appt were we did have an ultrasound. I have been kind of missing all the weekly ultrasounds we had during the first trimester.

Then on Christmas eve, I began getting lower abdominal cramps and felt some kind of pelvic pressure. I was so worried that something was wrong with the baby. By Christmas morning, the pain had sort of subsided and I managed to go for Mass. Not exactly the kind of Christmas I had envisioned but nevertheless, I was thankful that the cramps were not that bad and that I could make it to Mass.

Yesterday, we had another OB appt and I am 16 weeks pregnant. Thank you Jesus and Mama Mary for this huge blessing!!! We heard the baby's heart beat of 154 bpm and the dr. checked my cervix since I mentioned the abdominal cramps. Everything looked fine and the cervix was closed. However, I failed the one hour Glucose Test and my hemoglobin was low!!! While most pregnant ladies are monitored for Gestational Diabetes from week 28, my doctor wanted me to get tested because of my Insulin Resistance. I need to monitor my glucose levels four times a day and so I have begun pricking my fingers. Not fun at all! Not that I care about pricking my fingers. All that I want is my baby to be healthy and I would do this any day for my sweet little one. I have another appointment in ten days.

I am so thankful for the love and mercy God has shown this year. I really have no words and am in awe of His immense blessing. I pray for all of you who bear the cross of IF. May the Lord fill your hearts with Peace this New Year!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Progesterone Levels and other Updates

I have been wanting to update my blog for a while but I don't seem to have the right words. Every time I begin to update my blog about this pregnancy, my heart breaks for all those who are still waiting. I pray for all of you every single day. Last month marked 4 years of our TTC journey and I still don't know how I survived those 4 years. It was God's grace which carried us all the time. After 4 years, I cannot believe that I am carrying a baby in my womb. Four years of trying and surrendering to God's will.

I am 12 weeks pregnant this week! Praise be to God! Each day is a miracle. I had another OB appointment last week. It was a different doctor instead of my NaPro doctor but she was really sweet. We heard the baby's heartbeat on doppler. It was 174bpm and then without having to ask, the doctor did an ultrasound and we saw the little one wiggling around moving his/her arms and legs. What a precious sight! I can never tire seeing the video of this little one moving around.

The SCH looked very small on ultrasound and the doctor told it wasn't concerning. I haven't had any bleeding or spotting for the last 3 weeks which is such a huge relief. We are in awe of God's mercy. The last four years, I had never ever dreamed that we would be able to see a baby moving around in my womb.

I have another appointment next Tuesday and I will be 13 weeks which means I will be out of my first trimester. As usual, I have so much anxiety as I prepare for another appointment. I just hope and pray that everything will be fine at the next appointment. Time is going so slowly. I wish the weeks would fly away.

Meanwhile my Progesterone levels have fallen to Low Zone 2. These are the levels from the last weeks:
Week 6 - 55
Week 9 - 20
Week 11 - 19

I have been on the maximum dose of PIO, suppositories and shots right from the beginning. I am learning that I am not in control of anything. All I can do is pray and trust in God. I just wish my broken body would do a better job at producing progesterone. Nevertheless, I am so thankful that I am being monitored by the doctors who believe how critical progesterone is during the entire pregnancy.

Coming to the good and bad about Immune treatments. Prednisone has made me gain weight at a rapid pace. I have gained 10 lbs in 12 weeks and my face looks all puffy. I feel bloated most of the time and so had to buy maternity pants. I have to do a Glucose Tolerance Test at my next OB appt as steroids can raise blood sugar levels. My hair is falling and my skin looks terrible with acne and I know it is the Prednisone which is doing it. I am hoping that I can wean off Prednisone after the first trimester and get my weight gain on track but I will have to leave that decision to Dr. KK.

The good thing about Prednisone is that I don't have any pregnancy symptoms like fatigue or nausea. I read that steroids can make you feel energetic and suppress pregnancy symptoms. No wonder I don't feel like taking naps. However, I have read that the energy levels are going to crash once you stop the steroid. I still remember how fatigued I was when I stopped Prednisone after my last miscarriage. I had to take 3 hour naps in the afternoon and still didn't have energy to do any chores. I couldn't figure out what was wrong and it went on for 2 months.

Please keep is in your prayers. I don't know if I will ever be able to relax and take it easy with this pregnancy. After all the miscarriages, it is so difficult to not worry. However, after each appointment, I feel so much better. And I know that I am not in control but God knows what is best for us.