Viability and Nearing the 3rd Trimester

I've not been so good at journaling lately, but I'm blaming it on being pregnant and tired. :)

Viability is 24 weeks, so we are well passed that point.  In another week it will be the 3rd trimester!  I'm so excited!  I know that this little one has a very good chance of making it if he were born today.  Not that I want him out yet, but if something were to happen, he would have a rough road in the beginning, but he would have a 70%+ chance of making it.  I feel so much better with each passing day knowing that he is growing stronger and healthier.  In 3 months or so I will be holding him and looking at him in amazement, I am sure. 

My last doctor's appointment was last Thursday.  It didn't go as well as I would have hoped.  Dr. Wong was disappointed that I am up a total of 15 lbs.  She only wanted me to gain 15 lbs in the whole pregnancy.  She told me to cut back on all the carbs and eat lots of veggies.  Carbs are about the only things that appeal to me right now, so that is going to be difficult.

My blood pressure is also on the rise.  It was 130/80.  That isn't too high on its own, but it has been more like 120/75 and was even lower earlier on in the pregnancy.  I didn't have protein or sugar in my urine, but the blood pressure rise does cause a little concern about pre-eclampsia.  She wants me to monitor my blood pressure at home a couple of times a week.  So, I went to Amazon and bought a blood pressure cuff.  I might be resting more again...

Today is 26 weeks.  I almost can't believe it.  I'm not huge, but I am definitely pregnant.  I'm still not completely accepting of the whole baby thing, but I am getting there.  I giggle all the time when he gives me little nudges, kicks, and punches.  Sometimes I just lie on the couch with my hand on my belly and he thumps my hand.  I smile like a silly schoolgirl.  I can't believe how much I love this little guy and I haven't even met him yet.

I've been doing quite a bit of sewing as of late, too.  I've been making lots of diapers because they are so cute and fun to make.  I also finally finished the crib bumpers.  They aren't perfect, but they are cute!  Matt doesn't really care for them because he thinks the print is too girly, but I think it looks like a baby.  When he is old enough, this little boy can decide what he wants to decorate his room with himself.  I will make him something more boy later if that is what he wants. :)

This week my parents will be here and see me for the 2nd time pregnant.  Okay, so the first time they didn't know I was pregnant and I was just looking a little chubby.  This is the first time this pregnancy they will see my big ole fatty belly.  Matt calls me Fatty, so that is why I use that term.

Matt is leaving for Florida tomorrow to help with preparations for the SBIRS GEO-1 launch.  He'll be gone for 2 weeks.  He told me this morning he is worried about me.  He thinks I am going to do something stupid while he is gone.  Yeah, he isn't worried about something randomly happening...he thinks I am going to move furniture or trip and fall or something like that.  Okay, so normally this would probably be true, but I really am thinking of the baby and not doing stuff like that.  I'm just going to be sewing and cleaning...maybe getting a shamrock shake from MickyD's...nothing strenuous.

26w0d

Reno Baby Shower

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.