Saturday, March 12, 2011

Not ectopic!



I am so happy! Went in Thursday for my sonogram and they confirmed that is was NOT an ectopic pregnancy! YES! First hurdle successfully jumped! I really believe God has a HUGE plan for this little guy. I don't think we would have gone this far if he hadn't.

My doctor said he could faintly see the line that is the fetal pole starting to emerge so I am set to come back in in 2 weeks and by then we will be able to see so much more.

Think about it guys: I was supposedly infertile! Doctors told us I would never be able to naturally conceive and that we should start looking into IVF! But J and I held steadfast because we knew that when God has a plan there is nothing that can stop it! We are so happy right now. :) Over and over, everyday, I declare out loud that this little baby has Jesus stamped on his heart!

THIS IS A MIRACLE!




Monday, March 7, 2011

5 Weeks Pregnant: Possiblity for Ectopic?



If your anything like me I am very curious as to how things work. Probably because of my science background and ALL the many health issues I have had I am extremely interested in the way the human body works especially my own. So I find it extremely interesting to konw that this is what my baby look like right now:

Ok so it looks a bit like an alien but a cute baby alien! :)

BUT we're still not in the clear for an ectopic pregnancy. Tubal pregnancies can occur between 4 to 10 weeks but usually happen (cause pain enough to need attention) between weeks 4 to 6. I don't feel anything out of the ordinary so hopefully at our 6week sonagram next Monday they will see the baby happliy implanted in my uterus here the heart beat and all will be perfect... and I can stop worrying!

Love this website that described what to expect during every week.

Pregnancy Week 5

How Big is the Baby at Five Weeks Pregnant?
Pregnancy week 5 isn't much different from pregnancy week 4. During 5 weeks pregnant, your baby is still just over a millimeter long. You might say that your baby is about the size of a small grain of rice! However your baby is growing in many other ways. Vital organs continue to develop through this week.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
During the early part of this pregnancy at 5 weeks the central nervous system, muscles, bones and even the heart will begin to form. Early skeletal development is also possible at or around pregnancy week 5. Remember that every person is unique, thus their baby will develop at a different rate than others.

Perhaps the most interesting changes that are occurring during 5 weeks pregnant include those happening in the heart. During this week, the heart will begin to divide into separate chambers and start pumping blood. The heart is formed from the middle layer of cells, called the mesoderm. Other organs that will develop from this layer include the muscles, cartilage, and bone.

During pregnancy week 5, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord are also developing. The neural tube will start developing from a top layer of cells called the ectoderm. The baby's skin, hair, nails and sweat glands will also develop out of this layer.

A third layer of cells, called the endoderm, is also developing this week. The lungs, intestines, thyroid and pancreas also develop from this layer.

Your Growth and Development
You will still be pretty small during pregnancy at 5 weeks. An onlooker will not be able to detect that you are pregnant for several more weeks. Some women, particularly moms who have given birth before, have reported that they notice more bloating in their abdomen during this week. Because this is also a common menstrual symptom, many women assume that their periods are simply late and that they are bloated because of it!

Early Pregnancy Complications
Sometimes things go wrong with a pregnancy. Occasionally, a woman will experience an ectopic pregnancy. This happens when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. There is an even smaller chance that the egg will implant around the ovary or cervix, though this is very rare. Ectopic pregnancies generally occur in 1 out of every 100 pregnancies. Your risk might be increased if you have a history of pelvic inflammatory disease or some other infection that might have damaged your fallopian tube. Women who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy are more likely to experience a recurrence than those who have not.

The primary signs of an ectopic pregnancy include: vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and nausea. Some of these symptoms, however, mimic ordinary pregnancy symptoms, so ectopic pregnancies are sometimes difficult to diagnose. The best way to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy is to measure the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG in the blood. This is a hormone produced during pregnancy that generally doubles approximately every 2 days. When HCG levels do not increase, an ectopic pregnancy might be suspected. Ultrasound can also help diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.

If you are diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, your physician may require you undergo surgical treatment. Your doctor will want to perform surgery before any damage is done to your tube, which can affect your fertility in the future.

Other complications may include a blighted ovum or a molar pregnancy. A blighted ovum occurs when the fertilized egg implants but the embryo stops developing or isn't developing at all. It typically results in a miscarriage.

A molar pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg is abnormal from the time of conception. Usually the egg will not develop into an embryo or it will develop abnormally so that it can't survive. Molar pregnancies occur in about one out of every 1,000 pregnancies. A molar pregnancy will usually require a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal tissue.

Most women who experience pregnancy complications can go on to have normal pregnancies in the future. While it is difficult not to worry about potential complications, it is important that you adopt a healthy attitude. The more you relax and enjoy the changes in your body, the more likely things will go well for you. If you do notice any abnormal symptoms, including continuous bleeding after a positive pregnancy test, be sure to contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Changes in You
You may or may not start realizing some changes at 5 weeks pregnant. Some women will start feeling nauseous at or around the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy. Some women will also start noticing other early signs of pregnancy such as a need to urinate more frequently, or tingling and soreness in the breasts.

Morning sickness may start by pregnancy week 5 but probably won't set in for a few more weeks. Morning sickness is actually a misnomer. The nausea that is associated with pregnancy can come at any time of the day, morning or night.

Some women are plagued with morning sickness during their entire pregnancies, though most morning sickness gets better after the first trimester. The good news is there are many things you can do to help alleviate morning sickness as you follow your pregnancy week by week. Try keeping some crackers and seltzer water close by the bed and snack on some before you get up in the morning. Morning sickness is often worse on an empty stomach. Other women find sipping some ginger tea or lemon water helps relieve nausea. Another remedy is supplementation with extra B-6.

Before you try any remedies for morning sickness or any other pregnancy symptom, be sure you consult with your healthcare provider. There are many herbs that can be dangerous to you or your developing baby when pregnant. When in doubt always err on the side of safety.

The most common early pregnancy symptom at five weeks pregnant is a sense of fatigue. Fatigue is common throughout pregnancy, but is usually the most severe during the early weeks of pregnancy. If you are experiencing excessive fatigue, try to rest as much as possible throughout the day. Do not have an extra cup of coffee to "perk up" as too much caffeine can affect your developing fetus. One great way to take advantage of a natural pick me up is to exercise. If you have the chance to get outdoors and inhale some fresh air, go for an extra walk around the block.

Maternity Clothes
Maternity Dresses for the Fashion Conscious Mother

Most expectant mothers prefer maternity dresses over all other types of maternity wear. Why? Maternity dresses are the ultimate in comfortable maternity clothing. They expand, breathe, flow and gently caress the body rather than cling, pinch and squeeze. Who doesn’t want to feel comfortable when pregnant?

Whether you are looking for something formal for a special event or something more casual to wear day-to-day, you can count on a variety of elegant and feminine styles from today’s leading retailers.

The very best retailers for maternity dresses are found at Destination Maternity. Most women fall in love with their maternity dresses so much that they have a hard time not wearing them even after pregnancy!

Pregnancy Health Tips
Many women decide to keep their pregnancies private until after the 12th week. This is because the chance of miscarriage is greatest during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. it is up to you and your partner whether or not you decide to share the news about your pregnancy, but many women find great relief in sharing their joyous news with friends and family members. That way if something does go wrong, they will also have the support of their loved ones.

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to revealing your pregnancy. When you do decide to share the news, do so with pomp and circumstance. Most women will only be pregnant once or a few times in their lifetime. It is always fun to share the news in a memorable way. You might decide for example to purchase a new baby outfit or two to surprise your partner or loved ones with. Some women wait until their first prenatal visit, where they will often get to take home the first picture of their baby via a trans-vaginal ultrasound. Do what is right for you, but enjoy the process when you do! Having a baby should be a memorable and joyous occasion for everyone!





HCG hormones doubling!




Yay! Doctor just called me and my hormones are doubling just like they are suppose to! I am still in a state of shock guys! J and I didn't even have to use any sort of fertility meds like Clomid what so ever! What an amazing miracle!

Also the Prometrium Pills (400 mg a night) I'm taking only make me a little woozy and dizzy but overall I feel great, except of course for the sleepiness! I can sleep all day if I could!




Friday, March 4, 2011

I'm pregnant! Please Pray for us...



I know some women would warn me of announcing this too early because "what if I have a miscarriage?" To them I say GOD IS IN CHARGE! And I highly doubt by me telling others that it will some how change God's plan. It's ALL His plan and I will be joyous in all things good or bad! Plus I think having a support system of people praying and being positive for us is probably the best thing, don't you? And, God-forbid anything goes wrong I think I would also like the support and comfort of all my friends and family.

God IS truly GREAT! Well boys and girls, I am pregnant! This is obviously great news but even more so because I was labeled "infertile" by my past doctors. My endo specialist was strongly pushing IVF because he said even if I did get pregnant naturally his fear would be for an ectopic pregnancy since my tubes were so damaged, which in reality is definitely still possible. I am only 4 weeks and 5 days pregnant right now so the sonogram can't tell us yet where the baby has implanted. Actually week 4 is usually when the embryo is trying to implant. So I have literally been looking at the above picture VISUALIZING that it's traveled safely through the tube and is my uterus!

All the glory truly goes to God! Seriously! I am sure you understand all the little things that had to go perfectly right for us to conceive, right? I am so ecstatic but obv still very scared. They can't confirm the pregnancy until weeks 6-8 so the anticipation is killing me! the only thing they can do to try to rule out a tubal pregnancy is check my hormone levels. Pregnant women's HCG levels should normally double every 2-3 days so as long as I keep doing that I am fine waiting another 2 weeks to get another sonogram. Also our progesterone levels should be doubled.

Progesterone Levels during menstrual cycle :
Day 1-14 >1 to 1.5ng/ml
Day 15-28 2-28 ng/ml
Progesterone during pregnancy :
First Trimester 9-47
Second Trimester 17-147 ng/ml
Third Trimester 55-200 ng/ml


I have literally cried out to God for him to keep this pregnancy viable. I know statistically 1 in 3 first -time pregnancies end in a miscarriage but GOD IS BIGGER THAN ANY STATISTICS!

I did go in 2 days ago and again today to get my hormones checked. My Beta HCG level is at about 400 which is normal for week 4 but my progesterone levels are pretty low. That doesn't surprise me because I have always sensed I had a progesterone deficiency especially since I have endometriosis. We all know that endometrosis is feed by estrogen and most if not all women with endometriosis are estrogen dominant. I am a firm believe in Dr. Lee's theory on progesterone deficiencies and how natural progesterone creams can help women like us.


beta hcg levels Pictures, Images and Photos

Most early miscarriages are a result of low level progesterone levels so I am glad this was confirmed. So now the question is do I take oral progesterone supplements or stick to my natural progesterone cream or can I do both? Decisions, decisions...

One thing that has been hard this week is that I have had to stop all medications. I have Adult ADD so no more Adderall! I work in a high-stress position and this simply is not an option. So along with finding out I'm pregnant I have also resigned from my job! My company has been so amazing and supportive during my previous surgeries but because of those surgeries I have no more sick days, medical leave or vacation time left leaving me no choice but to resign. My obgyn here in Dallas has warned me that the next two weeks and basically the entire pregnancy is high risk and it would be to my benefit if i left my job. Well you don't have to tell me twice! LOL I put in my 2 weeks yesterday.

Though we haven't had a "confirmation through sonogram" that I am pregnant, only urine and blood tests to confirm so far, I KNOW I AM! In Jesus name I know He will care and watch over me and this baby during this pregnancy and ensure that we are both healthy!

I wonder: can an entire church be a child's Godparents?? LOL Because I truly am SO GRATEFUL for all the people we have met through being members at Trinity Dallas Church in uptown Dallas, TX! Pastor Joe, Pastor Dustin, Matt Neese, The Harlows, The Philips, The Chapmens, The Moores, The Avalos, The Foss', The Cowleys... have all been so amazing. Shoot, the entire church! They have been praying for us and helping us through everything we have gone through last year. They have been praying for us to have a baby and the very first month we try (February) we conceive! That is NO accident.


So I ask with a humble heart for you all to also pray for us. Pray that this little baby is safe in my uterus and far away from my fallopian tubes! Pray that my progesterone levels increase and maintain, Pray that this little baby be viable, full of energy and grow to be super strong! Pray that we have an obstacle-free pregnancy and labor!

After all the bible says:
"... pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20