tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27494505931705373142012-01-17T19:11:21.057-08:00...and other incredibly unhelpful things that people say when I tell them "yes, we're still trying to get pregnant." Welcome to yet another blog about the insanity of infertility.abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-41508326055297749442007-10-30T13:05:00.000-07:002007-10-30T13:32:21.937-07:00

It's been a while since I posted, which pretty much sums up my life right now -- it's been a while since I've been able to do anything but feed the baby, rock the baby, change the baby, bounce the baby on the bouncy ball, eat, go to the bathroom, and get what little sleep she allows me to get before we repeat everything again. Completely ordinary new parent stuff but so intense when you are

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-81544781586023717202007-10-11T21:06:00.000-07:002007-10-11T21:32:26.701-07:00

Well, a little less than 3 hours after posting my last post...I went into labor!!Ava Katherine was born on Friday, October 5, at 10:18 AM. She weighed in at 6 lb 5 oz and is 19 inches long, and so far she's the love of our lives!The birth went so well, although laboring overnight is pretty tiring and suffice it to say we certainly haven't caught up on sleep now that we have a newborn ruling the

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-70592583796618755022007-10-04T13:42:00.000-07:002007-10-04T13:53:45.861-07:00

I'm still here. Not much new to report! I am sloooowly making some progress in the dilation and effacement department -- had my 39 week appointment yesterday and I am now between 1 & 2 cm dilated and over 50% effaced (my doc's not much for specific numbers, which actually helps me obsess less, yay!) So it's a good thing that I'm making progress, but still doesn't tell me much about when this baby

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-51585012930874235182007-09-26T08:54:00.001-07:002007-09-26T09:07:14.165-07:00

Monday night we had a bit of a false alarm...frustrating! I woke up at 1:45 AM with a big contraction. Not that unusual, it happens from time to time. I settled back in to try to sleep, when I got another one. "Hmm," I thought, "that was odd. I don't usually get them so close together." Then, another one. "Maybe I should check the clock?"Another one, 5 minutes later.Another one, 5 minutes

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-79632213703745497672007-09-20T17:08:00.000-07:002007-09-20T17:19:29.970-07:00

I am now almost 1 cm dilated! I am so excited. I called my mom and told her and she said "wow, what does that mean?!?" and I realized it pretty much means...that I'm going to have a baby. But I still don't know when.But you know, that's ok. I was fretting about how I had no idea when the baby would come, and G gently reminded me that in fact we do have SOME idea. It will be sometime in the next

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-8028384456908908432007-09-18T10:36:00.000-07:002007-09-18T10:42:51.960-07:00

I've been feeling more energetic the past couple of days, even restless. The urge to clean, organize, DO things is huge. A sign of impending labor? Please let that be it! I'm so ready to meet this little girl... Here's the latest belly pics:

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-42038214370644907102007-09-13T19:22:00.000-07:002007-09-13T19:37:19.511-07:00

Just a quick update...things seem to be progressing towards this baby actually coming out of me in the relatively near future. I can't believe it. The details:Over the last few weeks I've felt a few sharp shooting pains in my cervix. I also think at some point the baby dropped, although I'm not sure...but I feel less crunched up in my ribs and more pressure in my pelvic region. In fact, it's

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-86469813770226759092007-08-26T10:11:00.000-07:002007-08-26T10:16:57.340-07:00

Hard to believe it will get any bigger, but my pregnancy book says the next four weeks are a time of incredible growth for baby girl...eeep!

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-3465435332751039762007-08-22T15:03:00.000-07:002007-08-22T15:34:13.539-07:00

I've been having trouble blogging lately, I feel like there just isn't much to say. A pregnant writer friend of mine is blogging for one of the big parenting websites and she told me she did a whole post on how boring she feels she's become...I totally feel the same way! My wit and insight appear to have at least temporarily left the building (if I ever had them to begin with) and in their stead

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-78061247169715887432007-08-06T14:48:00.000-07:002007-08-06T15:17:06.576-07:00

I had my baby shower this past weekend, which was fun and exhausting and exciting and overwhelming all at once. Fun -- seeing all of my friends, seeing my mom meet my friends' babies for the first time, eating yummy food (especially chocolate cupcakes!), getting amazing and cute and even useful presents.Exhausting -- standing around wearing heels (I know, why on earth did a pregnant woman decide

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-76052636151272977862007-07-25T14:21:00.000-07:002007-07-31T19:03:36.748-07:00

Yay! I went to my doctor's appointment today and I don't have GD and I'm not anemic. Phew! I was really worried about having to take the 3 hour glucose test, so I'm glad to have avoided it. My doc is also happy with my weight gain, which is so reassuring. Really, so far this pregnancy has been going so well that I can't help thinking that the bad news must be coming. But I continue to work on

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-60376489915574635132007-07-13T08:44:00.000-07:002007-07-13T09:20:29.606-07:00

I'm still a little confused as to when the 3rd trimester starts (27 or 28 weeks) so I decided to go with 27 weeks because I'm ready for it! Welll, I don't know if "ready" is really the word, because mostly I've been feeling overwhelmed at the idea that I will have a baby in just a few short months...but I definitely have been feeling different physically in the last few days and I'm chalking that

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-25552910125661447692007-07-06T15:31:00.000-07:002007-07-06T15:49:50.507-07:00

As of yesterday I feel like we're in a whole new ballgame...the baby's movements are HUGE (and seemingly constant) all of a sudden. I feel like I'm being rocked by an earthquake or something -- my whole belly moves and I feel very discombobulated. It's probably the trippiest thing I've ever experienced...forget drugs, try being pregnant! It's really cool but also sort of makes me feel more aware

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-55295157034375957902007-06-28T14:41:00.000-07:002007-06-28T15:15:17.832-07:00

Whew, 25 weeks! I really can't believe how fast this whole thing is going. It really feels like only yesterday that I was crying about my 2nd cycle at the RE resulting in eggs that never fully developed, and now here I am. What a miracle. In the past few days I've become aware of how overwhelmed I really am about the idea of having a baby. I feel like my focus for so long was getting pregnant,

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-49215864163066329662007-06-16T10:27:00.000-07:002007-06-16T10:47:45.065-07:00

Wow, looking at my ticker today brought home a little reality...I'm steadily creeping up on the 100 days to go milestone, which is just so insane. I feel like this whole pregnancy thing is flying by. I know everyone says it slows down a lot a the end, and I'm sure they're all right, but for now I feel like I can't believe how fast it's going. Yesterday I went and ordered our crib, which I'm

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-91237748955100570592007-05-29T12:33:00.000-07:002007-05-29T12:46:11.324-07:00

I'm feeling happy today. Yesterday was our three year wedding anniversary, which we celebrated by going for a hike along a beautiful lake and dinner out. We talked a lot about how much has happened since our wedding...including remembering our last anniversary, which we celebrated in Mexico. We didn't yet know that I wasn't ovulating and spent a good portion of the time doing the horizontal hokey

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-3730125661016319422007-05-25T11:20:00.000-07:002007-05-25T11:31:30.764-07:00

Baby Girl has been kicking up a storm lately. It's really the most amazing feeling ever, I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. Her little "hello!" thumps are without a doubt the highlight of my day.Best of all, G felt her kick for the first time last night! He has been putting his hand on my belly trying to feel her for a few days, but every time he's done it before she is quiet as a mouse.

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-85936174402345922382007-05-17T14:31:00.000-07:002007-05-17T14:53:01.015-07:00

It's a GIRL!I am so relieved that we don't have to deal with the hemophilia thing hanging over us, I can't even believe it. I didn't even realize how much I was worried about that until the tech said the baby was a girl, and tears sprang to my eyes. G and I held hands for the whole rest of the ultrasound, and while I was looking at all her little bits and parts, I just kept thinking "I'm going to

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-25290726934540278672007-05-15T10:40:00.000-07:002007-05-15T13:58:06.525-07:00

Two posts in less than a week -- guess I'm back in the blogosphere!So tomorrow is the big day where we get to see if our baby has all the correct parts in the correct places...please please please let everything be ok. I know that statistically the chances are that everything will be just fine, but I am always a bit of a nervous wreck before my doctor's appointments since I'm always afraid that

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-52524737587314841162007-05-12T16:32:00.000-07:002007-05-12T16:42:17.886-07:00

I have been feeling bummed out that I seem to have such a hard time blogging recently...well, really ever since I got pregnant. The funny thing is that I thought I'd be super into blogging and keeping a pregnancy journal and taking belly pictures every week and for some reason I just haven't really been keeping up with any of it. I keep thinking I should take pictures and I just don't feel like

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-25978116287011759632007-04-30T17:37:00.000-07:002007-04-30T17:58:01.187-07:00

So I am starting to feel some movement...what a strange and amazing feeling! To me it feels like light ticklish taps and sometimes a bit wiggly. Maybe he/she is doing somersaults in there. It's so exciting and cool to feel, and it really makes me realize that I am, in fact, somehow, having a baby. Whoa.!!!In other news, my belly is definitely an obvious pregnant belly and my OB confirmed last

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-33871562908762273112007-04-20T12:03:00.000-07:002007-04-20T12:39:38.339-07:00

A few assorted raves for the day...Rave #1: SNOOGLE!Ok, pre-pregnancy I thought body pillows were a little silly and airplane catalog-esque. But after tossing and turning three nights in a row, culminating in a night filled with horrid back pain, I turned in my last hipster credential and purchased not just a body pillow, but a special pregnancy body pillow that looks like a big curly worm. And

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-49073189462415632852007-04-09T11:20:00.000-07:002007-04-09T11:54:28.699-07:00

Well, now I feel even worse that I stopped posting for so long after people left such nice comments about being worried about me! You made my day, and I promise I will keep posting.Sooo, now for the latest:The NT scan last Wednesday was great, the u/s tech said all the measurements looked really good. Of course we still need to get the combined results but I'm glad that at least so far things are

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-82335844213260816222007-03-29T09:29:00.000-07:002007-03-29T09:44:54.985-07:00

Wow, it's been over a month since I've posted anything...I don't know what's wrong with me, but I've just not wanted to post anything at all. I don't know if I was worried I would jinx it (side note: I have never been so concerned about "jinx" until I got pregnant, it's like I'm living in the superstitious dark ages) or what. I think some of it is still what is basically survivor's guilt -- I

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-45394563063445276732007-02-21T15:04:00.000-08:002007-02-21T15:17:06.323-08:00

The ultrasound went great today -- there's a cute little bean in there, heart beating away! Heartrate was 125 bpm which the doc said was good, and it's measuring 6w 5d, so right on track. I think my legs were trembling the whole time, and I couldn't stop smiling as we left.It was so exciting and cool to see it...and I just can't even believe there is a real little creature living inside me, with

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-89531381355079143332007-02-12T19:26:00.000-08:002007-02-10T22:53:29.584-08:00

Much as I want to be excited and happy about this pregnancy, I'm afraid all the time that something is going to go wrong, and I'm going to lose the baby.And I know that this is "normal" for almost all women in early pregnancy.But there is nothing like getting pregnant after infertility...I just keep feeling like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like it just can't be possible that something

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-90848416430357131612007-02-10T14:05:00.000-08:002007-02-08T13:54:59.429-08:00

The good news is that I'm feeling much better now that I'm on both Colace and Gas-X, both ok'd by my doc. No more constant pain, and I'm sleeping better.The bad news is that the bloat is INSANE and doesn't seem to be going anywhere. My tummy is enormous, puffed out as far as it can go, and there's no doubt about it -- I look like I'm pregnant. Even G admits it, and he is usually terrified to tell

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-64554726364934206132007-02-07T09:34:00.000-08:002007-02-07T09:47:23.063-08:00

I don't know where to go with these feelings and thoughts so I guess I just need to blog it out. First of all, let me just say that I am so happy and excited to be pregnant. And now I have to say that it's been really miserable so far. I have been in so much pain from gas, constipation, and bloating that at times I can barely walk. I'm hardly sleeping. And I don't know what to eat because

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-49844934948256463452007-02-02T16:48:00.000-08:002007-02-02T16:59:05.102-08:00

Just got the call and we're now at 262. So it's more than double! I am so relieved. The past few days have been so intense and anxiety-ridden...I am just hoping that I can find a way to relax more between now and my 6.5 week ultrasound which is scheduled for 2/21. I just can't believe this is happening. About 100 times a day I'll be cruising along at work or whatever and suddenly just think, "I'm

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-26110492097023178592007-01-30T17:04:00.000-08:002007-01-30T17:13:15.468-08:00

I'm pregnant.I called the doc this AM about all of the stomach pains I've been having (like bad gas) and told her about the + test I took on Sunday at 10dpiui. They told me to go in for a beta.Levels came back at 92...!I just can't believe this. I don't even know what to think or do or feel. I'm thrilled and terrified all rolled into one...whoa. "What if something goes wrong?" keeps running

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-25784308054910435492007-01-28T08:57:00.000-08:002007-01-28T09:04:14.066-08:00

So this morning, I did the unthinkable. I took an HPT. At 10dpiui. And there was a faint line. And my heart started beating faster. And I ran in our room and woke up G. And he reminded me that it could possibly be the effects of the HCG trigger shot. Iamso dumb.How could I have forgotten about the trigger shot?!?!Please let this level of forgetfulness be some sort of early pregnancy sign....

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-36248491761273792532007-01-25T19:54:00.000-08:002007-01-25T20:18:25.100-08:00

Turns out I wasn't a posting dummy at all -- I was just another victim of incompatible technology...which is ironic considering I work (sort of) in the technology field. Meaning it's sort of technology-related, not that I sort of work. Although I do sort of work sometimes, like when I'm blogging or reading blogs or on infertility message boards. Not that I ever do that sort of thing (ok, this "

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-52032006490250833712007-01-24T15:22:00.000-08:002007-01-24T15:34:35.217-08:00

I must be a blogger dummy, because I can't figure out how to put a link in a post. Like if I wanted to point all of you to some cool thing I found somewhere else on the world wide web. Can someone explain it to me?Also, can someone explain to my brain that every little feeling I have in my stomach does not necessarily signify potential implantation? I keep trying but my brain doesn't like to

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-90328291374600417182007-01-18T15:21:00.000-08:002007-01-18T15:41:22.938-08:00

Just back from the RE's office and my hot date with the syringe. G's sperm numbers/count/motility/etc were rockin' as always...I have a nice fat egg...so why do I feel so hopeless & melancholy? Aargh!And it's so strange how the IUI procedure itself is so fast. Today I was laying on the table with my knees up for 10 minutes afterwards (because we all know THAT is the magic trick that will get me

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-18220250646985107532007-01-17T13:08:00.000-08:002007-01-17T13:22:20.133-08:00

Well after digging around for what seemed like an eternity, the fresh young med student (under the watchful eye of an actual doc) found a big ol' honkin' follicle on my left ovary. 20mm -- far bigger than I've ever produced, and on CD12 no less! Follistim is the bomb y'all. Now for the whiny part...I was really hoping to get at least two follies to increase the chances of success this cycle. I

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-32547674145798795002007-01-15T11:27:00.000-08:002007-01-15T11:41:23.606-08:00

I started my Follistim injections on Saturday and I have to say that they don't hurt one f'ing bit -- why was I so afraid? It's really not that big of a deal to get a shot every day, and yet emotionally it's still a drain somehow. I just want a vacation from this whole thing sometimes, a day or a week or a month when I don't have to think about what day it is, what medicine I need to take, when

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-52718243899957309912007-01-11T12:09:00.000-08:002007-01-11T12:14:35.856-08:00

I just knitted up my first hat and I have to show it off:It's a little hard to tell from the picture but it's made of the most yummy soft yarn ever, that changes in shade from light orange at the brim to darker red/orange at the top. It was pretty easy to make so I shouldn't be THAT proud of myself, but it's so damn cute, especially with the huge fluffball on top! It's for a friend's

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-87580592652858087542007-01-05T15:42:00.000-08:002007-01-05T16:05:12.246-08:00

So I've been thinking, why is being infertile some kind of shameful secret for so many of us? Is it because it has to do with sex and American culture is totally hung up about sex? Is it because no matter how progressive or liberal we are, deep down we believe that a woman's true purpose is to have babies?Is it because we believe that a woman should be and do whatever she wants, and we just can't

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-31015838655560672772007-01-05T15:36:00.000-08:002007-01-05T15:41:59.066-08:00

Yeah, my period arrived today...when I supposedly have 3 more days of Provera to go.WTF??Honestly, I think my body is so confused it doesn't know which end is up. This drug, that drug...not to mention four days of utter gluttony in New Orleans over New Years. Hey, maybe the excess of calories and fat kickstarted some kind of hormone overdrive!Anyway, the doc says no big deal, and away we go with

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-55371052628331549432007-01-03T18:37:00.000-08:002007-01-03T18:44:22.580-08:00

Well, I'm back on the horse. The Provera horse that is...and it's as fun as ever. PMS on steroids. Blah!However, the good news is that I talked to my doc today and he seems optimistic about my new protocol, which will be....(drum roll please)...Clomid CD3-7FSH injections starting the next day, for 8-10 daysHCG trigger shotIUIPrometrium 3x day for 14 daysSo I'm pretty much fully medicated at this

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-11636931557834009712006-12-27T09:10:00.000-08:002006-12-27T09:19:05.583-08:00

1. That follicles can start developing -- you can even get multiple follicles when previously you only had one -- and then stop developing and die.2. That you can find out really really bad news on Christmas Eve and yes, it does ruin Christmas just a little bit.3. That a marathon session of Guitar Hero II will temporarily relieve the pain and frustration of having to sit out the rest of a cycle

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-77006174603102045282006-12-22T15:17:00.000-08:002006-12-22T15:26:48.379-08:00

One thing to know about me is that I am always running late. I just don't seem to have an accurate concept of time. I like to think that's because I'm so busy thinking about important things and solving world problems, but in reality it's because I get distracted easily. Like right now, I'm supposed to be wrapping Christmas presents and instead I'm roaming around on the Internet, reading

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2749450593170537314.post-20392667074487735422006-12-18T13:54:00.000-08:002006-12-18T14:04:24.086-08:00

After the failed IUI attempt last cycle I've done everything I can to forget about this whole baby thing...easier said than done of course but at least there's all this holiday crap going on to take my mind off it.It sounds so stupid and I'm sure a year from now I'll look back and laugh/cry, but I really thought I'd get knocked up on my 1st IUI. I mean, medical intervention = sure thing, right?

abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11633868562914791467noreply@blogger.com1