A Canadian cycling in the US

September 2009 - Posts

• 12 weeks today! (+ u/s pic!)

  Yay, so we made it to the magical 12 week point!  I am very pleased and grateful that the babies seem healthy.  AND that we achieved pregnancy on our first IVF attempt.  We know we are fortunate.  Okay, now onto the fun!  I thought I'd share the u/s pic that the sonographer called "the bunkbeds".  It was taken at 10w5d: (temporarily removed - 228 x 139) Twin A is on the bottom, while Twin B is on the top.  So, they look pretty cozy in there, no?  I cannot even imagine how much bigger my stomach is going to get!! Posted Sep 27 2009, 06:59 AM by GreenZelda with 3 comment(s)

• 11w5d - Nuchal results are GOOD (+ fun nub "guesses")

  We had our nuchal u/s today and the results are great.  Both were 1mm, which puts us in the lowest risk category.  So we are all clear on that! Twin A measured 12w1d - HB 154 Twin B measured 12w2d - HB 156 Both measured ~5.5cm long.  So all good for my dates. AND, the HEMATOMA IS ALMOST GONE!!  It was only 1cm this time, so that is GREAT!  I am slowly starting to get my activity level back to normal.  Yay! BTW, the sonographer asked if she could "guess" on the nubs... she guessed Twin B to be a girl, and Twin A to be a... boy!!!!  lol, yeah RIGHT!!  Anyways, DH was like, "gee, okay, maybe we're having one of each" and I replied that nub guessing is notoriously unreliable, and not to count on it.  I have my faith in PGD!  lol Meanwhile, in work news, a few of the execs at my job are still shocked by the twin thing.  These are all men, most with 2 children each (with wives who are SAHMs).  So while they are being congratulatory towards me, a few of them have made comments about me "really" being able to come back to work as planned, etc.  I am rather frustrated and annoyed by these guys *presuming* what DH and I are capable of and/or how we truly want to arrange our professional and personal lives.  How would they know??  They are just comparing my situation to their own and assuming I would make the same choice they would.  No thanks!  Anyways, so now I am sort of nervous about my job being here when I return.  My usually-supportive female boss didn't help much either... when I shared my concerns with her, she *tried* to be reassuring but said she "cannot say for sure what changes may happen to the business" while I am away.  Oh thanks, I feel so much better! (not)  lol.  Anyways, I just said I would expect my old job to be here for me.  Most women in our offie  take their full 12 months off, while with DS I took 7, and with these two I am planning 6.  Because I love my job and my team, and I am trying to be a good trooper here.  So give me a break! So this job concern is a new, unexpected stress, which is annoying.  Since I really just want to focus on other things, not be worrying about my job or position changing while I am on leave.  I am going to speak to two of the execs that I know "best", to let them know my expectations.  So we can be ALL CLEAR on that, and I can try to head off any funny business.  And then that is about as much as I can do.  If they really want to make drastic changes when I am gone, I cannot really do anything about it.  ETA:  I spoke to the exec that I know best (we socialize as couples on occasion, and his wife is on mat leave at the moment with their first).  He seemed a bit surprised that I felt concerned enough to need to speak about it, but ultimately he said he does feel it is extremely likely my job as-is will be here for me when I return.  He felt the president's comment (about me "really" coming back) was totally off-hand, and that he has said the same thing about other women in our office who have babies.  (Um, okay, but that makes me feel even more strongly that the president has some weird perceptions about women, childbearing and their careers.  Geez.) Anyways, my secret plan here is to make sure this guy and a few key others are TOTALLY CLEAR on my leave plans and returning expectations, so if any "planning meetings" come up where I am not present, no one needs to "assume" anything on my behalf!  lol.  I do feel somewhat better having spoken to him.  I think I will also go back to the president (who made the most concerning comment in the first place) and do the same. Posted Sep 25 2009, 01:34 PM by GreenZelda with no comments

• 11w3d - We went public

  So now we've told DS, our local friends, and our employers.  We decided to tell now because we had a great u/s last week, *and* I am majorly showing and need to be able to wear comfy clothing. We live far from both our families, so have not told them yet.  Still deciding how and when to make that lovely revelation... lol Anyways, everyone is shocked that it's twins. I was most concerned about my work, as this company is run by a group (club? lol) of all-male execs, save my boss, the sole female (but a fairly recent addition).  My boss, to her credit, took the news extremely well.  She was super supportive, and wanted to talk all about having children (she's in her late forties, so that time is over for her).  Meanwhile, I had come prepared with a plan for handling my work during my mat leave, which we didn't even get to!  lol   I know most of the male execs fairly well, so I let them know my news directly too.  They were all supportive.  Except something weird did happen with the president... at first he congratulated me.  But then in private he asked "Are you *really* planning to come back to work when you have 3 children?"  And I was like WTF!!!!  I had already told them clearly in writing I was intending a 6 month mat leave (DH will take the other 6 months - I know, we are lucky here in Canada). ANYWAYS, I was rather annoyed that he could a. presume a working mother wants/needs to stay home after a certain number of children and/or b. assume I was *saying* I'd come back, but secretly be planning not to (?!).  I would think after all my (well-performing!) years here, he would know me better than that.  Arg.  I tried to keep it casual and said firmly there was no doubt I planned to return (barring any major health crisis).  Because my career is very important to me.  It is a large part of my identity and I've worked hard to achieve my current situation.  So I told him "Do not count me out", and left calmly, but secretly fuming.  Doh!  Absolutely I plan to come back, and will totally expect my same position and department/team to be here for me. Of course, I know I will have to "prove" myself (again!) after returning, but I will fully expect to be considered for future possible promotions/opportunities once my home life is stablized and I am able to perform normally. Grrr, I will need to bring this up with my direct boss, to ask her to ensure nothing "funny" happens while I am away.  She herself took 6 months off with her son (not here, elsewhere), so she understands my perspective, and I feel confident she is taking me at my word. In other news, tons of people are stopping by my desk to express their shock at the twin thing.  There is a lot of "oooh, your life is over now", "wow, glad that didn't happen to me", "you're going to have your hands full" and other such comments.  I try not to take it personally, or to heart.   My nuchal ultrasound screening is this Friday.  I hope/assume it will all be good news. Meanwhile, everyone is curious about the babies' genders... publicly, I say I'd like at least one to be a girl, but secretly I know the truth!!  lol BTW, I am *almost* ready to start shopping for pink (girly!!) baby things.  Oooh!! Posted Sep 23 2009, 02:38 PM by GreenZelda with 4 comment(s)

• 10w5d - Ultrasound results (it's good news!)

  One twin measured 11w.  HB of 160.  Moving normally.  Nuchal looks "thin" (good). Other twin measured 10w6d.  HB of 160.  Moving normally.  Nuchal looks "thin" (good). Hematoma is a little smaller (finally!!):  2.6cm x 1.4cm x ??? (sonographer didn't give me the 3rd dimension).  But she said it's smaller than last time.  Great! So babies are looking excellent, and the hematoma is much smaller relative to the twins' sizes.  The sonographer said it will probably resolve in a few weeks.  I hope so!  I have not spotted since Monday, but I know not to panic if I do again. BTW, I had her check where the placentas are relative to the hematoma... and the clot is still not close to them (yay!!).  The hematoma is on my front left.  Twin B's placenta is on my front right, and Twin A's placenta is on the back of my uterus, near my spine.  So that is great! In other news, I found out my new high-risk OB cannot fit me in until I am 15weeks (!)  Lori told me I will "graduate" from HRC's care this week, so I guess I am on my own for the next month!  lol  (BTW, the OB's secretaries seem VERY CONFUSED in general, just like the local clinic used to be.  Oh great, more of the same!!!  lol)  In related news, I got smart and had the local clinic make me copies of my initial blood workup today, to take to my new OB (HIV, blood type, etc).  I will wait for Lori to send me the results of my Estrodial and Progesterone blood tests today.  My last PIO shot was Wednesday and I want to make sure I am doing okay without it.  Wouldn't it be a nightmare to lose the babies because of low progesterone!!  I have read online about that happening (rarely) to a few people... ETA:  Lori said: "The estradiol level was 2415 and the progesterone level was 39. These are both good levels you are now making your own progesterone and estradiol and both levels will not continue to go up during pregnancy they mostly stay the same." And, in response to my obsessing/probing (lol):  "No patient should need any supplementation after really 8 weeks, miscarriages at that stage in pregnancy are not caused by lack of progesterone, it is most likely a genetic issue. So you have nothing to worry about." Okay!   Posted Sep 18 2009, 09:47 AM by GreenZelda with 1 comment(s)

• 10w3d - Received our fetal doppler rental

  In Canada, we don't need a prescription, so I ordered one on Monday and it arrived yesterday (Tuesday)!  I have it for 3 months.  I rented from Fetal Assure. I could hardly wait to put DS to bed to "play" with it.  It's a digital model.  They also sent a squeeze bottle of u/s gel.  Fun!!! Well, I managed to find my *own* HB a lot.  It was ~90-97 BPM. Only once did I find one little HB, for 3 seconds or so... it was 169 BPM.  That was thrilling! I know the babies are still quite small, so it will be hard for me to find them.  Let alone both of them in the same session!!  lol Anyways, I rented the doppler for peace of mind, and for fun.  Since I am now "high-risk", I have ultrasounds almost every week.  So I'm sort of addicted to them now!  lol  With DS, I had only *one* u/s in the whole pregnancy (the dreaded 20wk gender u/s, which is when my GD first manifested!  lol). In other news, the high-risk OB I was referred to has left me a message to setup an appointment (well, her secretary anyways).  Yay!!  So hopefully I'll find out soon when I will first be seen!  I believe this is the last week HRC/Lori will be officially monitoring me.  Mixed feelings about that of course!   Last PIO shot is tonight!  My sides are sooo sore and inflamed by the injections, I cannot wait to be DONE!!! Posted Sep 16 2009, 11:55 AM by GreenZelda with 2 comment(s)

• 10 weeks today!

  My ET was on a Sunday, so of course my weekly milestone anniversaries are too. So today we are 10 weeks.  Yay!  Only 2 more until the magical "12" is reached. I've scheduled my last u/s and bloodwork tests for HRC at the local clinic next week.  Also, I am almost done my PIO shots too!  After that, HRC will release me to my local OB.  Which, by the way, I have finally found!!  The RE at the smaller local clinic kept his word and is referring me to what he considers to be one of the best high-risk OBs in our city.  And it's a woman this time!  Yay.  I am considered "high-risk" because of the twins (multiples) and my SCH.  I am okay with that! On the SCH front, it's been fairly quiet the last few days, only a little dark brown spotting.  It doesn't stress me, and I can live with it. Also, I scheduled my NT screen with my usual local clinic.  It will happen when I am 11w5d.  I am already majorly showing, so the sooner I can feel confident the pregnancy is "okay", the sooner I can tell at work and bust out my real mat clothes!  BTW, if you have multiples, you can do the NT u/s only, not the bloodwork.  Because the levels they are looking at will be elevated due to the multiples and can give false positives. I am also looking forward to telling our friends and families our happy news, and of course, DS.  I think he will be really excited, and will make an excellent big brother. Meanwhile, I've now gained a total of SEVEN AND A HALF POUNDS!!!  Argggggg!!!  This is due mainly to what I call "crazy twin hunger", but is also exacerbated by the fact that I have been told to stay off my feet for the SCH.  So no more brisk walking to/from work (I used to do that for an hour a day), which is my usual favorite weight management strategy.  Actually, I am starting to feel restless and sad about that!  I can totally see that most of the weight gain is actual fat, collecting in my abdomen, on my thighs, and on my buttocks (I know this because the spots I do my PIO injections in are... rounder than usual, lol.)  Niiiiiice!!!  lol Posted Sep 13 2009, 06:36 AM by GreenZelda with 2 comment(s)

• 9w3d - Ultrasound and SCH status

  Well, mixed news again. First off, twins look great.  Twin A measured 9w3d, Twin B measured 9w2d.  Heartrates and fetal movement were normal.  Yay!  Also, cervix measured 6cm, which is supposedly "very good".  lol SCH is still about the same size as in the beginning.  Today it measured 3.9cm x 2.0cm x 1.4cm.  So no smaller, but also no bigger.  Supposedly it has "stabilized".  lol Also, the brown spotting continues daily, but I have decided this does not bother me.  My body just needs to do its own thing.  Meanwhile, I continue pelvic rest (not bedrest), and try to stay off my feet. Today's ultrasound was performed at a local fertility clinic that I've never been to before.  I went there only because they were the only place that said they could refer me directly to an OB (yay!).  So now I have their list of good "high-risk" OBs in my area.  Once I choose, they will make the proper introduction so I don't get turned away (which is what would normally happen in my city - most OBs say they are not taking new patients). Here is the one weird thing - the local RE from this new clinic that did my ultrasound today was VERY SURPRISED that HRC and my usual local clinic had *not* recommended bedrest for my SCH.  In his opinion, my SCH is "quite large" and "had put the pregnancy at risk" (when it had first occurred).  I already knew that many doctors have divided opinions on the requirement for bedrest, but obviously this guy is a fan of it!  Anyways, after my ultrasound, he revised his opinion to "it's okay" for me to keep working, since the SCH has seemed stable over these last few weeks.  Whew!!!!  The last thing I need is to take unscheduled time off work!  lol Also, I asked his opinion on the daily brown spotting and he said it's "not the best thing", but as long as there is no fresh red bleeding and/or cramping, I should be alright.   He did feel strongly I should should be followed by one of the best high-risk OBs in the city, so I will have to think about that.  He also thinks I should not use my usual local clinic for the NT screening (which I was planning to).  He recommended that I instead go to a local OB who is known to be excellent at performing these screens (as opposed to a sonographer).  He wrote me a referral in case I choose to use it.  Hmmmm. I don't feel "scared", but I don't feel as relaxed as I did going in either.  I will need more time to process. At any rate, this new RE was very nice, prompt, and also, their prices are very reasonable.  It's a much smaller practice than the larger other local clinic I usually deal with.  Anyways, I am not sure if I will need to go back to this new one or not.  For sure once I choose one of his recommended OBs, I will contact him as arranged so he can make the proper introduction so I can get seen! Posted Sep 09 2009, 02:03 PM by GreenZelda with 1 comment(s)

• 9 weeks today!!

  We've made it to 9 weeks!  Only 3 more to go until the much-idealized "12" is reached!  lol Posted Sep 06 2009, 11:12 AM by GreenZelda with 2 comment(s)

• 8w6d - SCH: Bleeding status (boring)

  SCH = Subchorionic Hematoma Okay, just wanted to log that I spotted brown a wee bit yesterday, and this afternoon there is more of an actual brown flow.  No clots, mostly just a dark liquid.  I know, TMI, but I want to keep an accurate log in case anyone else goes through this and wants to refer.  lol The local clinic seems to feel that no flow is "ideal", but brown is second best, as brown is "old blood" and hopefully means the hematoma is breaking down and the body is flushing it.  BUT, some women with hematomas spot/bleed brown and/or red off and on for weeks, so I know not to panic if this happens to me too. We are actually feeling a lot calmer about the SCH... there's a few IG July girls now with one, so it can't be *that* unusual or scary. I will have another ultrasound in the upcoming week, so we'll check the size/location again then.  Honestly, I expect my SCH to hang around for at least a number of weeks longer, possibly even more.  My dream is that it would be gone by 12 weeks when we start announcing the pregnancy (so I can feel that much more relaxed about it), but I know this may or may not happen. BTW, I went out today and bought some larger-sized work clothes (not mat clothes, still regular ones) to help hide my burgeoning abdomen (and my general increasing overall pudge factor).  lol!!! On another note, I ended up accepting the promotion I was offered at work (discussed in this thread).  Supposedly I will get final confirmation on all that next week.  I am guessing that everything will work out fine.  Thanks to everyone who offered their advice and support.     Posted Sep 05 2009, 05:33 PM by GreenZelda with no comments

• 8w4d - Today's ultrasound (mostly good news)

  It's mostly good news.  Today was an abdominal scan vs vaginal.  Here is what we found out: - Twins are fine - One measured 8w4d and the other 8w6d (right on target) - Both had heartrates of ~170 BPM (we heard them too this time!! Wow!) - Hematoma is basically unchanged in size/volume (it's now ~33mm x 29mm x 12mm or so).  Although it's now more roundish versus flatish as last week. - Songrapher said hemotoma is not near/under the placentas.  It's seemingly below both babies, but sort of creeping up a bit between their sacs. Sonographer and RE (yes, they brought him in this time!) said in their opinion, the hematoma is not a major concern and would likely resolve in several weeks (I hope!!).  They think it's a good sign that it has not grown in size (although I wish it would have shrunk).  They also think it's a good sign that I have not had any more bleeding or spotting since the weekend.  We'll see I guess!!  lol I have been reading so many scary things online about hematomas, so I am glad to keep hearing from the local clinic (and Lori) that everything will probably be fine. The sonographer said if the hematoma was going to cause a miscarriage, it probably would have by now.  She said she sees 1-2 patients with hematomas per day (out of ~20 total patients per day).  Okay!   ETA:  The RE confirmed I *will* be considered "high-risk", even just because I have multiples.  I feel that the SCH (+ for some docs, simply being pregnant via IVF) will also be additional factors.  He said for me, this will simply mean more frequent monitoring appointments.  Posted Sep 03 2009, 01:56 PM by GreenZelda with 1 comment(s)

• 8w2d: SCH - Time to go with the flow (okay, bad joke!)

  SCH = Subchorionic Hematoma Well, I found a SCH support group on babycenter.  It's a great resource, but I also have mixed feelings about it.  Mainly because most of the ladies seem to be fairly seriously concerned about their situations.  Whereas before, I was taking cues from the sonographer and Lori that things would likely be "fine".  So, I surfed the group a lot yesterday, and in the end was left feeling... more worried.  More stress is not good for me (I'm a natural stresser), and is not very productive anyways, so I think I shouldn't spend *too* much time on there.  Although, I got some good tips about hydration and pelvic rest (for sure sex is out, but I didn't know orgasms were too! lol).  So the spotting status is that I spotted a little brown discharge on Sat & Sun, but nothing on Monday, and so far nothing today.  Which is "good", but may or may not mean the clot is shrinking (and the spotting or bleeding could re-appear at any time).  Actually, most ladies on the board had to wait weeks (or months!!) for their clots to shrink or disappear.  Most seem to carry to term (or nearly), although there were a few miscarriages caused by bad SCHs which detached placentas.  So far, mine is completely below the fetal sacs.  Which Lori said is good. A new worry is... will the SCH somehow weaken my membranes and/or cervix?  Twins are already likely to be somewhat early, and I *don't* want to be dealing with premies!!  lol Anyways, all this has forced me to get my butt moving on finding an OB.  I don't have one!  And I know HRC will be expecting to release me in ~2 weeks.  For sure now that I know I have twins + SCH (am I considered high-risk?), I want to be seen by a proper OB who can monitor me carefully.  My local clinic had no one to recommend, so I've contacted all the other fertility clinics in my city to ask if they have any referrals.  So far, one says they might if I come visit them for an ultrasound (nice!!! lol).  Otherwise, I'm going to have do some creative googling.  And/or call major hospitals directly (??)  Arggggg, so annoying. Anyways, I've been having all sort of cramping/stretching/pulling sensations in my uterine/abdominal area these days, which I assume (hope?) is normal growth stuff as opposed to SCH symptoms (yech).   My worst secret fear is that the SCH is slowly growing and growing, and that at my US we'll find out it's enormous.  I hope not though!!!  Although, more growth is entirely possible, as who's to say we found the SCH at its peak size.   BTW, my SCH sprang up relatively quickly... at my 6w5d US, there was no sign of it, but then JUST ONE WEEK LATER, there it was at 4cm!  Argggg. Also, since the initial bleeding and cramping stopped, I'm back to my normal work routine, but I've cut out all the brisk walking.  I also take escalators.  And at home, I sit/lie as much as I can.  And no heavy lifting or moving.  Let's hope this works!!!   BTW, I'm still trying to decide if I should make friends or enemies with my SCH.  It *is* part of my body after all.  And I need to feel positive about my body doing its own healing thing.  One lady called her SCH "the monster", but I don't want to think of mine that way.  Just get better, SCH!! PS - General pregnancy symptoms update: - Morning sickess getting a little stronger, but it's not bad at all - Breasts still consistently sore - Gained 4 lbs already (!!) > feeling hungry a lot, so eating too much - Starting to show pretty darn noticeably, it's getting hard to camouflage! Posted Sep 01 2009, 11:04 AM by GreenZelda with 2 comment(s)