My name is Rachel. I have 3 children. Joey is 18.5, Aiden is 2, will be 3 in May and Lydia is 1, will be 2 in early April.
I am a SAHM. Not totally by choice. Back in 2006, late 2005, I started getting tired. I always have been "tired" but this was not normal AT all. I was falling asleep at work and once behind the wheel of the car. I knew then, I needed help. I needed answers.
I went to my hematologist (I have low platelets that have to be closely watched) and he ran some tests. Come to find out, I have extremely low iron. There are 3 parts to iron and 2 parts are almost non-existent. My body doesn't replenish iron through food or iron pills and I have to get iron transfusions.
Even with the transfusions, I still tire extremely easy
I have an extremely low metabolism. Because of my platelet issues, I have to be extremely careful with that I put into my body. If I have never taken it before, I have to clear it with my doctor. My platelets can stop working period or won't work correctly, which isn't a risk I am willing to take. And at the same time, I wish I could do more natural treatments.
With all of that
I am glad my life turned out as it has. We TTC for many, many years (you can see there is a 16 year difference with my 1st and second). My hematologist told me people with low/non-existing iron, have conceiving problems! I kid you not, a month after 16 weeks of transfusing iron, I was pg with Aiden! And a "one shot deal" 
! (I wrote it on the calendar ROFL).
Ten months after Aiden was born... Lydia was born.
The only granddaughter for my parents. Some days they can be a challenge... and other days, they make my heart soar (well they do all the time, but you know what I mean!). They play well together... but they fight too. 
I am hoping with their close age, they will be close growing up.
As crazy as it seems, and I am *so* not kidding (wish I had their birth stories still. I use to have a blog), I didn't know I was pregnant with either kid. I didn't gain weight (and I am already on the heavy side), I had my period every month (lighter then normal but not much), the baby(ies) moving, I honestly thought was gas cramps and I could "account" for anything (looking back *now*) that had to do with the babies. When both were born, my doctors (who delivered) said the kids were laying my my back as they got bigger).
Aiden I went to an Urgent Care, thinking a cyst had popped. I had one that I was suppose to get surgically removed. I had a + test at the UC and went home, made an appt w/my OB/GYN for that afternoon. I made it all of 20 minutes before we headed to the ER. I thought ectopic (sp?).
He was 40 weeks+ 1 day (according to my calendar of DTD and last HEAVY period). I had gone to Alaska for 7 months (on and off-- we had a wedding we went to and then my grandma got ill, and then she died). Apparently, when I flew home between my Grandma being ill and going back 10 days before she died, Lydia was conceived.
Fast forward 9 months, close to 3 weeks (she was born at 34 weeks). I go in for my yearly exam and the doctor is acting kind of odd. She then tells me I am miscarrying. First I was in shock I was pregnant AGAIN and so soon. She then really starts getting concerned (and asking odd questions, that made me really uncomfortable.
I call my mom, and start crying. First about being pregnant and second miscarrying. While it was a surprise... I surely didn't want to miscarry!! As I am talking to her, asking her to call my husband (by now I am almost hysterical) and let him know what was going on, she decides to get a senior partner in. He comes in and asks if I could be pregnant... I said I am sure it is possible, but I doubted it, as I'd been gone a lot due to family issues. He checks me out and next thing I know I'm being put in a wheelchair naked as can be other then the cute little paper gown and a blanket. I was wheeled 2 blocks over to the hospital where I gave birth to Aiden.
MAY I JUST SAY, nothing is more embarrassing then a nurse saying "didn't we JUST see you here??". I was already upset beyond upset and now mortified.
After checking me over really well, they determined I was 33 weeks along and in full blown labor *again*. They got me admitted and checked me out. After holding off for a week, I had Lydia Grace by C-Section (my pelvis is too small, plus there is a much greater risk of bleeding and with my low platelets, it wasn't worth risking it). Lydia would have been my biggest baby. She was 6 pounds, 9oz and 19.5" long. I had the exact dates written down in my calendar, so I know when she was conceived too.
NO MORE SURPRISES for us. The only thing that makes me sad is my oldest child is so much older then my 2 younger ones. He adores them like mad. What shocked me is he had always wanted siblings, but never told us that. I always thought he was happy being an only.
I am a SAHM. Not totally by choice. Back in 2006, late 2005, I started getting tired. I always have been "tired" but this was not normal AT all. I was falling asleep at work and once behind the wheel of the car. I knew then, I needed help. I needed answers.
I went to my hematologist (I have low platelets that have to be closely watched) and he ran some tests. Come to find out, I have extremely low iron. There are 3 parts to iron and 2 parts are almost non-existent. My body doesn't replenish iron through food or iron pills and I have to get iron transfusions.
Even with the transfusions, I still tire extremely easy
I have an extremely low metabolism. Because of my platelet issues, I have to be extremely careful with that I put into my body. If I have never taken it before, I have to clear it with my doctor. My platelets can stop working period or won't work correctly, which isn't a risk I am willing to take. And at the same time, I wish I could do more natural treatments.With all of that
I am glad my life turned out as it has. We TTC for many, many years (you can see there is a 16 year difference with my 1st and second). My hematologist told me people with low/non-existing iron, have conceiving problems! I kid you not, a month after 16 weeks of transfusing iron, I was pg with Aiden! And a "one shot deal" ! (I wrote it on the calendar ROFL).Ten months after Aiden was born... Lydia was born.
The only granddaughter for my parents. Some days they can be a challenge... and other days, they make my heart soar (well they do all the time, but you know what I mean!). They play well together... but they fight too. I am hoping with their close age, they will be close growing up.As crazy as it seems, and I am *so* not kidding (wish I had their birth stories still. I use to have a blog), I didn't know I was pregnant with either kid. I didn't gain weight (and I am already on the heavy side), I had my period every month (lighter then normal but not much), the baby(ies) moving, I honestly thought was gas cramps
and I could "account" for anything (looking back *now*) that had to do with the babies. When both were born, my doctors (who delivered) said the kids were laying my my back as they got bigger).Aiden I went to an Urgent Care, thinking a cyst had popped. I had one that I was suppose to get surgically removed. I had a + test at the UC and went home, made an appt w/my OB/GYN for that afternoon. I made it all of 20 minutes before we headed to the ER. I thought ectopic (sp?).
He was 40 weeks+ 1 day (according to my calendar of DTD and last HEAVY period). I had gone to Alaska for 7 months (on and off-- we had a wedding we went to and then my grandma got ill, and then she died). Apparently, when I flew home between my Grandma being ill and going back 10 days before she died, Lydia was conceived.
Fast forward 9 months, close to 3 weeks (she was born at 34 weeks). I go in for my yearly exam and the doctor is acting kind of odd. She then tells me I am miscarrying. First I was in shock I was pregnant AGAIN and so soon. She then really starts getting concerned (and asking odd questions, that made me really uncomfortable.
I call my mom, and start crying. First about being pregnant and second miscarrying. While it was a surprise... I surely didn't want to miscarry!! As I am talking to her, asking her to call my husband (by now I am almost hysterical) and let him know what was going on, she decides to get a senior partner in. He comes in and asks if I could be pregnant... I said I am sure it is possible, but I doubted it, as I'd been gone a lot due to family issues. He checks me out and next thing I know I'm being put in a wheelchair naked as can be other then the cute little paper gown and a blanket. I was wheeled 2 blocks over to the hospital where I gave birth to Aiden.
MAY I JUST SAY, nothing is more embarrassing then a nurse saying "didn't we JUST see you here??". I was already upset beyond upset and now mortified.
After checking me over really well, they determined I was 33 weeks along and in full blown labor *again*. They got me admitted and checked me out. After holding off for a week, I had Lydia Grace by C-Section (my pelvis is too small, plus there is a much greater risk of bleeding and with my low platelets, it wasn't worth risking it). Lydia would have been my biggest baby. She was 6 pounds, 9oz and 19.5" long. I had the exact dates written down in my calendar, so I know when she was conceived too.
NO MORE SURPRISES for us. The only thing that makes me sad is my oldest child is so much older then my 2 younger ones.
He adores them like mad. What shocked me is he had always wanted siblings, but never told us that. I always thought he was happy being an only.
