We're almost out of the first trimester which means little bear has grown to the size of a plum and has developed all of its major systems. This week it will be working on reflexes - so opening and closing it's fists! How amazing is that!
Yesterday, I met with my family doctor. Dr. V is wonderful. We talked about the surrogacy, and I told him a little bit about my wonderful IPs. He is very excited because after giving my DH a vasectomy three years ago, he thought it failed! LOL Then, he remembered I spoke to him about becoming a surrogate. Let's just say he was relieved.
We went through the normal questions of a pregnancy and reviewed my previous deliveries and miscarriage. We talked about the weight of my full-term babies, but then said, "Well it might not matter because the IP and ED will play more into that then you!" Yikes, I really hope both of them were small when they were born.
The last part of my exam I laid back on the table and anticipated hearing little bear's heartbeat. He put the gel on my abdomen and turned on the sound. I'm not sure what the tool is called that he uses, but I'll ask next time. After a while and swipes across my abdomen we still couldn't hear anything. I knew it was early to hear but since the 10week ultrasound had such a strong heartbeat, I thought for sure we'd hear it. Dr. V continued pressing and prodding in hopes to get a clear sound. There was nothing. I started to worry a little and Dr. V must've sensed this so he said, "It is early. The heart is about the size of a pea, so it is hard to hear. I'll see you back in two weeks." All the while he was saying this, he was still going back and forth over my abdomen and then about 5 seconds later - BAM! There it was - we could hear the heartbeat! I was so excited and a bit relieved. He counted the beats and said it was, "About 170 bpm." Very strong! Dr. V is so patient, that is why I love him! I'm glad he kept trying.
The twenty week ultrasound is also scheduled. It's right after I return to teaching full-time but we needed to schedule so my IPs can plan on returning here and seeing their little miracle. It will be wonderful to see them both again and it's only 8 weeks from now!
I've decided that my IPs are going to have their hands full! Little bear doesn't let me sleep much, loves cheese in the middle of the night, and was already being stubborn!
A Bright Star
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Olive Oil...
This has possibly been one of the longest weeks of my life! We are currently 9 weeks 2 days pregnant with a little olive and I'm exhausted. The nausea has somewhat subsided, but insomnia has kicked in ten-fold. I haven't had a good nights sleep all week. The best time I get sleep is when my three-year old is napping. It must have something to do with not being in my normal routine - going to work all day. I did start working out again lightly. It's so difficult to change when you were working a forty hour week, skating hours and working out 3x a week. I went down to doing nothing...except for being a mom and a rolling stork.
I had my first OB appointment on Monday (8 weeks 5 days). It was with the OB history nurse. It was an adjustment talking to a complete stranger about my journey, give as many details as I could, and then hear her say, "Now you know, there are 14 doctors in this office so any one of them could deliver in January." WOW! This was not what I was expecting to hear. I knew it could be who was on call, but what if I deliver during the day - will my OB doctor come to the hospital? I was under the impression she would.
Needless to say, I left the appointment frustrated. I am planning to call my family doctor (who delivered my three year old) and see if he'll please go thru the journey with me. My daughter was one of the last children he delivered, he was just ready to move on after delivering babies for 20+ years. He joked, "The hours aren't so great!" I just cannot imagine having a stranger deliver this little miracle.
On another note...the 12 pounds I lost from December to February has now become only 9. Yep, that's right...I've already gained 3 pounds!!! From what I've read online...that is typical. I just didn't expect it quite yet.
Next week I'll have another ultrasound. The RE doctor wants to make sure Olive Oil is doing well. I am excited to see at 10 weeks because the little olive will look like a teddy graham. It will have little arms and legs and will be wiggling around. Even though I won't be able to feel it myself in a few weeks, it is still cool to see on the screen.
I had my first OB appointment on Monday (8 weeks 5 days). It was with the OB history nurse. It was an adjustment talking to a complete stranger about my journey, give as many details as I could, and then hear her say, "Now you know, there are 14 doctors in this office so any one of them could deliver in January." WOW! This was not what I was expecting to hear. I knew it could be who was on call, but what if I deliver during the day - will my OB doctor come to the hospital? I was under the impression she would.
Needless to say, I left the appointment frustrated. I am planning to call my family doctor (who delivered my three year old) and see if he'll please go thru the journey with me. My daughter was one of the last children he delivered, he was just ready to move on after delivering babies for 20+ years. He joked, "The hours aren't so great!" I just cannot imagine having a stranger deliver this little miracle.
On another note...the 12 pounds I lost from December to February has now become only 9. Yep, that's right...I've already gained 3 pounds!!! From what I've read online...that is typical. I just didn't expect it quite yet.
Next week I'll have another ultrasound. The RE doctor wants to make sure Olive Oil is doing well. I am excited to see at 10 weeks because the little olive will look like a teddy graham. It will have little arms and legs and will be wiggling around. Even though I won't be able to feel it myself in a few weeks, it is still cool to see on the screen.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Not Quite a Peanut
Although I feel like my belly is growing, the baby is not quite a peanut yet. As of today, it has doubled in size since last week - wow what a growth spurt! A raspberry it is...relating the embryo to food kind of fits my current situation, since I cannot stop eating! Yes, I know, I am eating for two, but really people this has got to stop! I eat every two hours (if not sooner) and have a sleeve of saltine crackers at my disposal almost all day long.
Last night, I told my derby family about the pregnancy. They were all shocked, but excited for me and so supportive. Many of the girls asked more questions and genuinely seemed interested in the process of becoming a gestational surrogate. When I think back to how I started this journey it still amazes me that it took almost 2 1/2 years to get to where I am today. All the paperwork, two different agencies, and wonderful IPs have brought me to this point.
My IPs sent an email over the weekend talking about their mothers. It was "Mother's Day" in France. Not only will this baby make them parents, but it will give their mothers their very first grandchild. I cannot express how wonderful it is to be a part of their happiness and joy.
Last night, I told my derby family about the pregnancy. They were all shocked, but excited for me and so supportive. Many of the girls asked more questions and genuinely seemed interested in the process of becoming a gestational surrogate. When I think back to how I started this journey it still amazes me that it took almost 2 1/2 years to get to where I am today. All the paperwork, two different agencies, and wonderful IPs have brought me to this point.
My IPs sent an email over the weekend talking about their mothers. It was "Mother's Day" in France. Not only will this baby make them parents, but it will give their mothers their very first grandchild. I cannot express how wonderful it is to be a part of their happiness and joy.
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