Last Check

Today was our last scheduled cervical check.  It was measuring nice and long--over 4cm, so the doctor was very pleased and said no more checks were necessary.  I'm back to being under the care of just one doctor.  As much as I like going in for the checks, I am totally happy to not have to keep going in.  I know that this one is doing well and my cervix is holding very well.  I have less than 2 weeks to make it to viability and that will a huge relief to me.
We got one last good look at the little one as well.  He is growing like crazy!  His head was under my belly button and his butt was down low.  I have been pretty sure that I feel him wiggling his feet down low, but I wasn't sure.  Now I am. :)  I am really starting to get excited to meet this little one!  Hopefully less than 4 months left!

21 week OB Appointment

My 5 month appointment fell during week 21.  My first sad thing to report is that I have gained 10 lbs!  Oh my!  I was doing really well, but in one month I went up 6 1/2 pounds!  I am not very happy about that.  Dr. Wong also told me that I need to cut back on the carbs.  I'm really sad about that because I love my carbs and also my milk.  I'm blaming the weight on both of those things along with the fact that I can't do any exercise.  I am going to have a lot of work to do after this baby is born. :(

Everything else is looking really good.  No sugar or protein in my urine and my blood pressure was normal (120/78).  I don't have any tests to complete this month, but will have the dreaded glucose test again next month.  I am so not looking forward to that again...

Heart Healthy

IVF babies have a higher risk for heart issues, so the perinatologist scheduled us for a fetal echo cardiogram.  Basically, that is just a detailed ultrasound of the heart.  

After a LONNNNGGG wait in the lobby (our appointment was at 3:40pm and they called us back at 4:40pm), we finally went back for the heart check.  The sonographer did a few measurements on the baby and then focused in on his heart.  He checked the blood flow and beats going through each chamber of the heart.  It was pretty cool to see the heart beating and watch the blood flowing through it.  He had a little trouble because Baby was comfortable and didn't feel like moving around too much.  He was swinging his arms and legs, but not really moving positions.  The sonographer left and got Dr. Gaffaney who then tried to get all the right angles and finally had me move to my side to get Baby to move a little.  Baby finally cooperated and she got all the right views.  She then gave us the good news that the heart appeared healthy and there were no signs of any defects.  She also said that many defects are not visible until after birth, so we aren't 100% in the clear.  

Dr. Gaffaney also measured my cervix and it looked really good.  It was over 4cm!  That is longer than the last check.  I am so happy to know that all is going well in there. :)  

We also were given a few shots of Baby, but they aren't that great.  We got some face shots and he also likes to show off his goods, so we know he is still a boy!

Hi Daddy!

Last night I could feel Baby moving around quite a bit while I was laying in bed.  I asked Matt for his hand and put it on my belly where I had felt Baby moving.  Only a minute or so later he shifted A LOT and Matt felt it!  It was pretty cool.  :)  I'm so excited that Matt was able to feel our little alien in there.  I'm not making any of this up!  There really is a baby in there!

He has been a very active little one today, too.  He is going nuts right now.  It is fun, but I am worried about what it is going to feel like when he gets even bigger!

The BIG ultrasound

Ok, so since we already know the gender, the ultrasound was as exciting, but it is still good to see everything and know all the organs are working as they should.  Plus, we got to verify that he really is a boy. :)

All went well and he is measuring about 3 days ahead and weighs about 8 oz.  He is right on track to be a little over average size if he is born on time. 

My cervix was looking good.  Dr. Gaffaney didn't give a measurement number, but she was very happy with the number.  I asked if they were going to check it again and she said since my cervix failed at 20 weeks before that they would check it again in 2 weeks.  That was a huge relief to me because as we get closer and closer to the timeframe when I lost the twins, I get more and more nervous.  Knowing that I will have another check on the cervix makes me feel better. She also wants to do a fetal echo just to check on his heart to make sure all is well.  That is getting to be normal with IVF, so I'm not really worried.  Okay, so maybe I am just a little.

Another Boring Appointment

Another boring OB appointment today.  I actually forgot about Matt going with me and just went off by myself.  I called him when I arrived and told him I didn't think he really wanted to go to find out if I had gained any weight. 

Turns out I am only up 3 lbs. total for the whole pregnancy!  Woo-hoo! Dr. Wong is very happy with that and so am I.  Now to just keep that number low for a little while longer. 

Baby moved around a bit and it took Dr. Wong a minute to get a lock on his heart beat, but all was well.  Another month until I see her again...

The BIG reveal!

Today was my 2-week cervical check after the cerclage.  All looked really good and my cervix measured about 3.6cm.  I was a little nervous about the baby being low and too close to the cervix, so she said she would take a look.  Baby was in just a perfect location and not knocking on the cervix door.  While she was checking on baby, she asked if we wanted her to take a peek at the gender.  I giggled and said yes.  So, baby got a few more shots and we can also start saying he/him. :)

I'm so excited that I think I could burst!  Now I get to start sewing and making clothes for him!  I was pretty certain he was a boy from the start, but had started doubting my instincts in the last couple of weeks.  I guess that a mother's intuition is pretty good.  :)

 Matt isn't too keen on my choice of nursery fabrics so far, but I think they are neutral.  I'm probably going to go with Curious George, though, just because I think it will be really cute and still be similar to the animal fabric I already picked.  I have plenty of both, so either way it should be fine.