19w6d - Amnio Completed and Another Type of 2WW

Hi All,

Okay, here are amnio details. I was more than a little nervous for this (and still am), but DH stayed with me the whole day, so that helped. We went out for breakfast and I felt a bit like I was still in the first trimester because I was pretty nauseous and sensitive to food smells. I think it was really related to nerves.

Our appt was at 1:30pm and we arrived 15 minutes early. We were taken in almost right away, but then waited for the dr for a few minutes. We then went to the room where he did and u/s to see the position of the baby. (He checked last week and said it would be easy and that there would be no problems, so we didn't realize this was a concern.) Well, our little girl has moved to a horizontal position across my tummy, so the dr said he could not do it now. To go walk around for about 1.5 hours and come back.

So we walked around (in a fun part of town known for having a lot of stars around!) and saw some paparazzi lurking outside a store to get a photo. We don't know who it was, but will look for the photo in next week's US magazine! We then went to Coffee Bean (my favorite place in the world!) and I got a decaf caramel ice blended and DH got one too with a donut. I figured the sugar and walking would jiggle this little one into position!

Got back at 3:15pm and checked again. She was now "sitting" in my tummy in a breech position with her head and body on my left side and her legs stretched out towards my right side. This made a nice open space for the amnio needle in the top right part of my uterus. So, they do this with continuous u/s, and the tech held the wand in place. The doc then used a stick to make red marks on my skin by poking it so he could have a marker - he could see where this was happening on the u/s pic. He found a good spot, then prepped my belly with beta dyne and alcohol. Then came the needle. The initial stick was expected, but not painful. Then he quickly inserted it in deeper to the uterine sac and that was a "surprising" pressure as it went through my stomach muscles. I flinched a bit, but it wasn't painful. (He did not use any Novocaine to numb the skin prior to the procedure.) Then, they pulled the fluid out of the sac. It was the color of urine. Then the needle came out and I was to lay there for about 5 minutes. He checked the baby again on the u/s, and all looked good. Then rest for the rest of the day and Thursday, and no heavy lifting until Tuesday.

Overall, the procedure sounds so much worse than it really is. I didn't find it painful, but completely understand that it might be for some people. The most "painful" part is hoping this little girl stays super sticky in my uterus during the next few days. AND, now another kind of 2WW (2 week wait). 2 weeks until we find out the results. I just wish it was sooner...but that's how long it takes. We also have a level 2 u/s on Aug 13 (the same day we should find out results of the amnio), so we should know all that it going on with this little one by then. We're praying no horrible fatal abnormalities exist, but are glad we're checking now. I've been praying for this little one so much. But, I know God has a plan for me and have to trust it will all work out as it should.

That's my story. I'm not posting how far along anymore because I figured out (thanks Jen and Holly) how to post my ticker so you can know more easily at the top!

Love to all and thanks for every one's good thoughts for us.

xoxo Yo!

19w4d - Amnio and Earthquakes!

Hi all!

Well, I've been pretty nervous about the up-coming amnio, but know it's all going to be alright. Results take about 2 weeks, so I think that waiting might be the hardest part. On top of my nerves, we had a pretty big earthquake today! It was a 5.4 and I was in the 3rd level of an underground parking structure. The air ducts were swinging and the concrete around me was shaking! All I was praying for was that the building didn't collapse on me. But, everything turned out okay, and I drove out from under there ASAP! I was happy to be home with my kitties...they were scared too! This is the biggest one we've felt since the 1994 Northridge earthquake...that's a story for another day! DH was so cute, called and texted me right away to make sure I was okay. He's so protective and I just love it. He's the BEST DH ever. Not that all your DH's aren't great too, but I'm a bit biased! :-)

Other than that, feeling okay. I'll try to keep everyone posted about the amnio tomorrow - happens at 1:30pm on Wednesday, so keep me in your prayers please. Hugs to everyone!

xoxo Yo!

19w2d - Amnio Next Week & Belly Slideshow Updated

Hi all!

Just wanted to let you know that you can scroll down and the belly slideshow is updated to include 19 week photo. I continue to grow and grow and grow. And, I'm starting to have a pretty itchy tummy and bbs. Wondering how bad the stretch marks will get! Funny, I think I'm big now, but I'll get sooooooo much bigger in the months to come. Very interesting to be a human incubator! People are just starting to notice and comment. There is a worker at my local grocery store who I haven't seen in 3-4 months and he instantly said, "Congratulations!" So, that's the first real stranger who has commented without hesitating!

I'm still not feeling a ton of movement, but I think with wearing the looser maternity clothes now and being busier that I'm just not noticing as much. I do think when I feel kicks that it feels more like gas now, or like I have to pee and then a moment later I don't have to anymore. I can't wait until DH can feel it.

The amnio is next week and I'm glad we're having it but a bit nervous as well. Interesting, they say the m/c rate is 1/400 or so for this procedure, but from all I've researched, they don't really know if the m/c is from the procedure or from the fact that you would have m/c'd naturally anyway. The m/c rate for this trimester pregnancy is 1/100 anyway, so there is more of a chance that I'd m/c without the procedure. Nice to know all these facts going in.

Oh, I've been having super vivid dreams and bringing all parts of my life into one dream! This morning, I was cracking up because ONE dream was about 1) growing up as a gymnast, 2) PT school, 3) the gymnast/coach craziness that just happened about that book, and 4) panda being a bear (I like the animals at the zoo!) But, I slept sooooo great last night and got about 9 hours. I only got about 6 the night before, so it was nice to sleep.

That's it for now. Thanks in advance for any prayers or wishes for next Wednesday's appt at 1:30pm for me and my little one. I really believe in prayers and it's nice to know people are rooting for you. Hope you are all doing great and having a great weekend!

xoxo Yo!

18w6d - It's a GIRL!!!

Hi all,

I've been super busy last few weeks and haven't been able to post.

We did find out some very fun news today...we're having a...

GIRL!!!

The dr showed us the labia and everthing. And, it was a really good shot - amazing. We're very excited. No u/s pics today, but we'll get more later.

We have decided (95% sure) that we will have an amnio next week on Wednesday. We had some test results that indicate to us that it is worthwhile to do. So, we'll know more about everything a couple of weeks after that. Chances are that it will all be fine either way, so that's comforting to know.

That's it for now! Sending everyone tons of love!

xoxo Yo!

PS - DH took this photo last Saturday and I kind of liked it, so I thought I'd share!

17w1d - belly slide show

Hi all,

Just stopping by quickly to update you with my belly slide show. I've edited it down so it's not so long, but I'm def starting grow! Everything is bigger! I'll be back for a full report. Love to all of you! (Sorry it's been so long since time since I posted.)

xoxo Yo!

Oh, remember, it sometimes takes a few minutes to load so if it cuts off at anything less than 17 weeks, you haven't seen the whole slide show...just let it cycle through a couple of times and it will load.