IVF Graduates thread!! - Page 45

[lyndiramos]

Just a quick update before I head to bed. I have been keeping up just not a lot of time to post. Alina is 13 days old and doing well! She had some weight gaining issues but as of today she is almost at her birth weight!! She has finally .made it to 2ozs a feeding. Im pumping and feeding because she gets to tired breastfeeding. I am excited to say that I have 200 ounces of breast milk in my freezer so far!! Not bad for 13 days. Im a pumping machine getting 6ozs every 3 hours so I feed her 2ozs and freeze 4ozs!! She is a great baby not to fussy. Afm my hellp syndrome is improving and preclamsia is finally gone!! all the swelling is gone for the most part and im 15lbs under my prepregnancy weight!! Platelets are still a little low and enzymes are still a bit elevated but improving!! We Alina whinning time to feed her. I will try and catch up with everyone very soon!!

[renavoo]

HI ladies,

Kewpie, that sounds positively horrible but yah for passing the test! I hope that you get more rest today and that the babies are feeling better. Hopefully, you're feeling better too. Do you have the flu? Or why do you have a fever? Hopefully, DH can take over a little so that you can get some rest!!

Keria, I'm so happy that things are settling down! I will definitely be taking a lot of photos and videos of the little ones when I can. haha i always think that since these are going to probably be the only two I have, I want to overdo the photos and videos rather than wish I had more of them!

Tenzi, I think that the anxiety you're feeling is normal although combined with your depression, it must seem unmanageable. I hope that, whatever you do, you start to feel much better soon. As Keria says, it isn't a bad thing to get treatment if the feelings overwhelm you. However, regardless, you're doing good, mom! Just keep it up and soon, the baby will be here and i bet you'll be a wonderful mom to both the new baby and your DS. By the way, UGH to the car door being hit and you guys being held responsible. So ridiculous!

Lyndi, YAH!!! Everything sounds like it's going great! So HAPPY!

Praying, hi!

RCR and Blue, since I know you check in on us, HI! :oD

AFM, I'm ok. My cold lingers and I still have hacking coughs although they now are less frequent. However, I do end up getting up 3-4 times a night for the coughs and i ended up falling asleep on the couch because I didn't want to go back into the bedroom and disturb poor DH. Ugh, my ribs hurt though from all the coughing but I did call the doctor's office and the nurse said that the babies are probably well protected since i don't have a fever. So while I hate the coughing, I'll make do. If it doesn't get significantly better in the next couple of days, I'll probably end up taking robitussin. But I'm avoiding it because I hate the taste (I know, I'm such a baby!)

:o)

Big hugs to everyone!

[Kewpie80]

renavoo - I hate robitussin too.  I found that the sugar free version for diabetics tastes better, though.  It's not quite so strong tasting.  It is still yucky, but not as much so.

I'm not sure what I've got.  It's not as severe as the flu, but I did have a serious fever for about 2 days, so I dunno.  I don't think the cold has fevers.... right? Now I've got the dry hacking cough that makes me spasm and feel like I'm going to die.  I'm right there with ya, unfortunately.  I'll be thinking of you.  haha

I hope you feel better too!! I got sick right near the end... over christmas, it was... I think I was around 34 weeks or so.  Awful!  NOthing worse than sick while being pregnant. 

lyndi - SO jealous about your milk production.  I have no freezer stash and I struggle to get 2 oz while pumping.  You deserve a good pat on the back!  That's awesome!

[renavoo]

Kewpie, ugh to the hacking cough!!! That stuff is just the worst!! I wish you weren't sick but I kind of feel better that someone else is going through this with me too. haha although, then again, I think a lot of people in my office are sick too. What the heck!? Winter is over...we're not supposed to be getting sick. But yes, no fever so I think it was just a minor cold.

Lyndi, which pumping machine do you use? I need to start getting on that and I'm not sure whether i should rent one or buy one. Kewpie and Keria, what are your suggestions too?

:o)

thanks ladies!

[rcr]

Lyndi - I didn't congratulate you! Congrats! And congrats for being a super pumper! I was a big milk producer too, and I ended up pumping so much that I also fed an adopted baby for almost a year.

Rena - I used the Medela Pump in Style. It is the most expensive, but the best (unless that has changed in the last 5 years since I had DS). If you are planning to do a lot of pumping (i.e going back to work), get the best. It makes a big difference. Sorry you are sick.

Kewpie - sorry you are sick too. Love the pictures!

Tenzi - Oh, I am so sorry you are having a rough time. Pregnancy is hard, especially after going through IF when you want it to be all wonderful and idealistic but it is just not. It is hard work making another person. Try to take care of yourself.

Keria - Wow, I can't believe it has been 2 months already.

AFM - as I am sure you all know, I had an amazing turn of events. We thought that we had zero fertilization, but 3 days later the RE called and said that one was growing. That is hopefully our little fighter baby that we are tranferring today. I feel good that we are doing assisted hatching, and I think it is going to give us more of a chance. So if you have any good vibes to send my way, please do so

[lyndiramos]

Rcr- I have a feeling there is a reason that ltttle one is growing!! Rooting this is it!!!!

[Kewpie80]

renavoo - I have a Pump In Style by Medela.  I've gotten the most milk from this one of the ones I tried.  If I didn't have this one, I would be renting a hospital grade.  

rcr - I have everything crossed and you've got all my good vibes!  I too feel like there's a reason this one is fighting!  Grow grow grow!!!

[BellyBean]

rcr, how exciting!!!  I am hoping, praying, and sending all sorts of good vibes your way so that little miracle keeps on fighting and growing after transfer!!!!!!!! 

Renavoo, I also have the pump in style by medela from DD.  It worked well, but I was not a huge producer like rcr or lyndi.  I plan on renting the hospitial grade symphony one for the first few months to get a good stockpile going and then maybe transition back to mine if it is too spendy (or there isn't much of a difference).  In hindsight, I honestly think my supply issue was due to nutrition and fluids.  I lost all my pregnancy weight, IVF weight, and then some in about 4-6 weeks.  I was smaller than my little sister who is a rail and probably not getting enough calories/water to keep production high.  I was so used to just eating for myself and went back to my typical small portions and was so busy with the baby I often would forget to eat/drink.

AFM, we started a small remodel project at our house...gasp...it's been keeping me pretty busy (mentally really, since I am working on finding contractors).  It's going to repurpose some of our living space so it's a must for me before babies arrive.  Also, I have really noticed my body being more tired and my belly actually hurts from stretching.  I am also very pleased to report we bought our second crib yesterday and I just ordered the double snap and go on amazon a few minutes ago (it's on sale for $78!).  I am anxious to get everything ready since I tend to stress about long lists of to do's.  Another project on my list is picking baby names, and some sort of lettering for their room. 

[Keria]

Oh rcr I'm so sorry your little embie didn't make it. I was so sure this was your cycle. I'm glad you are peace with moving on. I'm a big believer in changing clinics. If you look online there are tons of stories of peoples with tons of tries with one clinic and they get pregnant on the first try with another clinic.

Lyndi add me to jealous club. I have 30 ozs in my freezer that I got with a lot of hard work. I'm usually only able to pump between1-3 ounces. Do you have more pictures of your little munchkin? Are you getting some sleep?

Rena I also have a PISA I started with an avent single electric which I actually really like but there is no way to go hands free with that one so i mostly use the PISA. Also the avent has these soft cushion thingies which are really nice it took me some time so to get used to the hard plastic on the medela. Are you returning to work after the babes are born?

Belly you are a brave woman. Remember to take it easy though. 

Inspired by kewpie I took some video of my babies I have to upload it and I'll post the link .

[rcr]

Thanks Keira. I do have peace with moving on. I need to move on as fast as possible though, as we are afraid that DH will be loosing his IF insurance/job, but I am doing everything I can. We have an appointment at a new clinic (the one that Montessortof used) on the 24th, and I am working on getting an appointment with a egg bank clinic that Vegan recommended that has had pretty amazing results. Plus there is always my old RE - we are still on their wait list for donor eggs, but I think that we will be moving on since other places look like they can get a donor faster. So yea, I am ok. I always feel better when I have a plan to move toward. Donor eggs were not my first choice, but I am ok with it.

Just trying to get my records from the old RE. Not looking forward to that phone call.

[lyndiramos]

Keria- Im getting sleep shes is a great baby!! I added new pics to my photo album on my profile but not sure how to get then on here with my tablet.. But all of you are more then welcomed to veiw them there!! As soon as I have a chance to get on my regular computer I will post them on here!!

[renavoo]

HI ladies!

It sounds like Medela is the way to go! I think I'm going to get the backpack one since i prefer backpacks as the way to travel :o) Thanks!!

belly, whoohoo to getting all this stuff done! i was thinking about getting the double snap and go also and i actually saw someone using it the other day on the street (I'm a stroller stalker these days! DH is as well- he says that that's how he knows he's about to be a father...he checks out all the strollers these days. haha). My one concern is that we have too much stuff. In fact, my big task this weekend is to start cleaning up. DH and i need to start figuring out what we can donate, what we can throw away and how we can make room. Also, we need to build the cribs to make sure that the pieces are all there. I may have ordered the cribs too early but I was hearing horror stories about how people ordered cribs and they didn't come for months so I wanted to order them early. Of course, now they are here really early so I need to do something to make sure that they work out! 

You have a glucose test today, right? GOOD LUCK! You'll do great! More bump photos please. Last I saw, you looked fantastic and were barely showing. ;o)

RCR, I said this in my other post but you are truly inspirational. You're positive outlook is amazing. I'm so glad, by the way, that you're settling on a place for the donor eggs. That place really does sound like it will be fantastic for you. I hope that your insurance does cover the bulk of it, if you have to pay out of pocket initially. Did you call the insurance company and did they say that they would cover it? I hope your dh's sperm analysis test comes out good though! that way, you won't feel like you've just wasted so much time on this. Although, whatever happens, I hope you don't think this was a waste of time...it was just your road to getting your next baby!

Keria and Kewpie, I want to see videos!! :o)

Lyndi, she's so cute! And I'm happy that she's giving her mom some well deserved and needed rest :oD

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! And a wonderful holiday for those who celebrate.

:oD

[Kewpie80]

renavoo- I sent you a PM with the video links.  They're nekkid in one of the videos, so I have them set to private and don't want to just post the links here.

Have fun decluttering.  I'm still working on that.... it feels like we're never done.  I'm hoping to get us down to the bare minimum for our move. (plus I just cant stand a lot of "stuff")

[renavoo]

Kewpie, they are gorgeous babies and the laughing video was wonderful! What timing!

Ugh, decluttering is such a difficult task...especially for a hoarder like myself. DH has helped my hoarder tendencies a lot but I still get a little anxious when I have to throw anything away. Admittedly, we didn't do enough this weekend so far because i'm still recovering from my cold and i've been fighting a nasty headache. However, we did manage to build one of the cribs and our friends started sending over some gifts. One of our friends got us a dutalier glider and another got us the graco twins bassinet/pack and play. So we put those together too. And noticed how LITTLE room we actually have. ;o)

We are putting together piles of stuff to donate. Hopefully, we get that done soon too!

Hope everyone else is well! Check in when you can!

[BellyBean]

Renavoo, ugh to decluttering!  I tend to hang on to things and DH like to throw everything away, so sometimes I just have to turn my back and let him get everything out of the house!  We are still in the midst of moving everything around so we have unearthed a lot of things I had stashed away :) 

Lyndi, your DD is absolutely beautiful and how great that she is a good sleeper!  Congratulations again!

rcr, I really hope you are able to find a clinic that can get you in quickly.  I don't know much about the subject, but from what you have written the frozen eggs in Atlanta sound like a great deal.  I hope your DH's sperm tests come back good, does the clinic offer embryo's if needed?

Keira, HELP!!!!  Did you ever find anything that helped with the hemorroids?  I have spent the last week suffering and trying everything under the sun like creams, ice, baths, living on milk of magnesia, but all the sudden they wont go away and just keep getting worse :(  I am in so much pain now, I can barely walk, sit, bend down, anything.  I had my OB appt last week, but they weren't this bad at the time and I was really frustrated because the lab wouldn't do my glucose test per the OB's orders, my OB (who is always on time) was 40 min late, and I just completely forgot to ask.  I am going to call this morning, but I thought you might have some secret tips or if they gave you something prescription.  There is no way I can live like this for the rest of the pregnancy and after!

AFM, we told the families the names we had *chosen*, and I didn't get the reaction I wanted.  My mom even started giving more suggestions, and others started combining the names into other names I really don't like.  It made me really sad last night and I ended up crying a lot.  I took these cute pictures of how we announced it, but I haven't shared anything because I am totally doubting the names.  I am still sad just thinking about it.  I think that's why we didn't tell last time, but everyone keeps asking so I thought I would just get them "out there".  I am probably being super emotional, but my feelings are really hurt.

I also took a bump picture to share....here I am :)  I swear I look a million times bigger in person.  I am still measuring 5-6 weeks ahead.

[Keria]

Belly you look great!  Oh the hemorroids, I forgot all about them.  I'm so sorry you are in so much pain, warm baths helped a little but they never really went away until the babies were born. I'm sorry your family is giving you a hard time about names grr I had a friend that kept sending me lists of name suggestions after I told her that the names were final. Also no one showed excitement about the names we picked it was like oh why did you chose those? It kind  of hurt m feelings too because we loved the names so much but anyways go with what you love who cares what anyone else thinks.

Rena it sounds like you've been quite busy. Remember to to over do it.

Here are some videos of my babies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0qsMbfMMDs&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z258cJu5kJA&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHx1RyZrtjU&feature=relmfu

[renavoo]

Hi ladies!

What I want to know is why everyone seems to think that they can just opine about everything to do with our pregnancies, without being asked. I feel like people get less and less polite with their opinions and forget that we're the ones who are pregnant and going to give birth to OUR children. They should be happy that we're telling them the names early and just ooh and aah. Belly, unless you're naming your babies something like Kal-el (that one always stood out because i love superman), I'm sure your names are just beautiful. I had the same reaction when I told people our babies' names too. I had people shaking their heads and saying that Sienna sounded too much like Serena and mispronounce Colin into "colon". Sigh. But DH and I are happy with our names and we just shrugged and moved on. I just nodded to the naysayers but didn't say much more after that. They will find out after the babies are born that we kept the names. ;o)

You look fantastic, by the way!! My gosh, you're still so tiny (i know you say you look bigger but seriously, if a camera adds 10 pounds then you look barely pregnant. You go girl!) I bet you're one of those women who will look like you weren't even pregnant a week after giving birth. Lucky!

Keria, AWWWWW I loved the videos (and Oliver and Lucia will forgive you for not giving them an easter basket THIS time but don't let it happen again. haha) But seriously, those smiles! Aww they are so adorable! They also seem quite long so I think your babies will be very tall :o)

AFM, I'm trying not to overdo it but another big presentation is coming up and they want me to be a part of it. I really hope that it doesn't mean extremely long hours again because honestly, I'm starting to feel exhausted so I think the third trimester is going to impact how well i feel. sigh. But regardless, had a scan yesterday although we didn't get any good images because our little boy was hiding with his face to the back and we just got a profile of the little girl. I didn't like the sonographer as much as the other two in the practice. I hope that the next visit I get another sonographer. I'm a little amazed though that the next time we see them will be in 4 weeks and that will be week 32! It's crazy to think. According to the tech, they are both measuring around 3 pounds so they are a little bigger than average but still within limits. haha at first I was a little shocked because I was hoping that I wouldn't have to give birth to 2 7 pounders or something like that. ;o) But anyway, things are good and as of now, they are both head down and side by side. We'll see how they look in a few weeks! Time to go get ready for work. Hope everyone is doing well! BIG HUGS!

[monkeyscience]

Crashing to say...

Sorry you ladies are having people poo-poo your name choices! This just further strengthens my resolve to tell NO ONE our name until the baby comes. People usually seem less likely to butt in with their opinion once it's actually a done deal. (Though I'm sure that won't stop everyone!)

rena - Sorry your work is exhausting you! Anyway you can politely tell your boss that you just don't have as much energy now that you are getting so far along? Also, everything I've read says bigger babies (unless they are like 10+ lbs, or even more) are actually easier to push out than littler ones, so maybe bigger babies isn't a bad thing! Interesting you have 4 weeks till your next appointment. I'm pretty sure after 28 weeks is when my appointments switch to every 2 weeks, and I'm only having one. But all they do at the appointments is listen to the baby and measure me, anyway. Good luck!

[prayinghard]

Hi all.....  sorry that I have not been around.  I was having trouble posting.  I would hit submit and nothing would happen!  Uggg!  lost lots of posts that way.  You would think I would have learned.  Unfortunatly only time for a quick hello and to wish you all the best.  I heard my little ones heartbeat yesterday for the first time.  It was like music!

[BellyBean]

Praying, congrats to a sucessful u/s and hearing the little heartbeat!!!  How wonderful.

Keira, I loved those videos!  What a couple of cuties!  Plus, your accent is awesome :)

Renavoo, I really hope your work settles down soon!  I can't imagine working such long hours!  You are a real trooper.  That is so great that your babes are growing so well!  I have my next u/s in about a week and a half and I hope they can tell me about how big they are.  That's part of my plan to keeping their names straight when they come out :)  Like bigger baby A is so and so, and smaller baby B is so and so.

Monkey, thanks for dropping by to side with us :)  We kept DD's name pretty much a secret last time.  I would tell a few close friends and family what we were thinking, but waited till birth for a full announcement.  Kind of wish, I hadn't said anything this time :( 

AFM, still bummed about the way our names were received, but I plan on talking to my mom about it tomorrow or Friday.  We also got the crib we ordered and it's not exactly what I wanted (in terms of matching our other crib).  DH says it doesn't matter, and it probably doesn't, I just wish I "loved" it more...   Which reminds me I need to order another matress.