CVS Exam

Today we went down to Cedars Sinai for the CVS exam. However, when Dr. Williams was examining me, he noted that the baby was too small to do the procedure (baby has consistently measured a week behind). And, he explained that doing the procedure too early could cause harm to the baby's limbs. So, we rescheduled the exam for the following week, Thursday 07/07.  On a different note, baby's bp had been 144 both times during the ultrasounds with Dr. Buyalos. Today, the bp was 173. Could the baby be a girl??

Starting Our Baby Registry

Given that we received good results from the preliminary CVS testing, I am feeling good about starting our baby registry. I was looking at "Buy Buy Baby" online and saw the following book:


https://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?BRN=1&sku=16449091&

Team spirit can never start too early as this board book by Brad Epstein attests! Filled with all the important facts from the history of your favorite team, it's a required primer for the next generation! The book can be personalized by slipping a photo into the last page, and there's also an area for listing friends and family alumni. Book measures 6" H x 5" W.

Sharing the news...

I finally shared the news with one of my closest friends (Talin). She was one of my bridesmaids and had moved to Pennsylvania about a year ago with her husband. Turns out she's 12 weeks pregnant! She said she'd been worried about me (she knew about all the infertility treatment) an that's why she hadn't shared her news yet. I couldn't ask for a sweeter nor more considerate friend. And, her baby is due on my birthday :-)

Anna: That is fantastic! And yay u have someone to be pregnant with :-) talin must have an awesome baby to be due on ur birthday :-) very happy for u sweets xxx
Cathy: That's great news! It's so nice to have a friend pregnant at the same time as you! I had a good friend pregnant at the same time as me with my first 2 but no one with Lacey. It was a little lonely lol And what a considerate friend to not share her happy news to spare your feelings ... Awwww !!!!!
Me: It's so different talking to someone who didn't have to go through infertility treatment. She's only had one ultrasound in 12 weeks! I was asking her about the baby's length and heart rate, and she wasn't sure. It must be nice to be so relaxed! I think I may have freaked her out a bit with all my questions!
Anna: Lol a friend told me she was pregnant (after holding off cos her sis in law had ivf so knows what its like and didn't wanna upset me) and her first scan was booked at 6 weeks and I said oh wow u will get to hear bubs heartbeat and she was like omg u know so much! And I was like I have no choice lol
Fara: what a wonderfull friend, wish mine were more like that,x
Lisa: that is so lovely, how exciting for you both, its lovely to have true friends xxx

Pregnant through IVF Anxiety

I continue to worry about the possibility of a miscarriage or that something is wrong with the baby. It's a terrible feeling, and nothing seems to ease my anxiety. I chatted with my IVF girls about it, and they all have had the same experience.

Me: It's all still so surreal. I wonder if there will ever come a time in this pregnancy where I'm able to stop worrying and looking down every time I have to pee (worrying about blood/miscarriage).
Lisa:  For me, it remained very surreal up until the day of delivery! I remember being in the hospital room (had to have a planned c-section) feeling positively ill because I hadn't been allowed to eat since midnight the night before and my delive...ry wasn't until 2pm! Anyway, I was laying there feeling hungry, sick and so, SO nervous....just thinking NOW it's real...I'm going to have a BABY in my arms in a couple of hours....like....a real one.... lol. One of the beautiful midwives (who rostered herself on that day so she could be at the birth - she had worked at the IVF clinic while I was going through the attempts to conceive and was SO excited to be able to participate in the birth) asked how I was going and I told her I felt positively ill....she went out of the room, wheeled in the little cribs they use, with a little blue teddy bear in the corner and then left again. Half an hour later, she came back and asked me how I felt....I felt much better....'works every time', she said. I looked at that crib and realised that all my dreams would be coming true in the next couple of hours. Very real...very beautiful....and Fin is all that and more :)

Me: Lisa, that is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I got teary-eyed..lol! I guess it's like this for every IVF lady :-)

Lisa: I got teary eyed typing it, Jess...Having said that, I'm getting teary eyed at just about everything at the moment so that's no great shock, lol :)

Graduation Day

Today was our last appointment with Dr. B. While waiting to be seen, I ran into a lady I'd met at the Resolve meeting. She was having her retrieval and I wished her well.

The appointment was bittersweet. We received good news- my pre-test results for the CVS exam had come back and were good. The baby has continued to grow, and the heartbeat was 144bpm again. I asked Dr. B his thoughts on the Old Wive's Tale about the heartbeat and gender. His response, "It's just an Old Wive's Tale."

After the ultrasound we met in Dr. B's office. David politely asked Dr. B what our options are in the future for pursuing another baby with his office. We explained that our benefit for infertility treatment has been maxed (in addition, my insurance has already denied some of the claims because of benefit exhaustion). Dr. B said we should not worry about it and he will work with us. He said he would also work to reduce the balance that we owe his office. Thank goodness!

I asked Dr. B his thoughts on women being very fertile for that first year after childbirth (I want to maximize our chances for a second baby). Dr. B said he feels it's mostly a myth. He would like me to come see him when I am done breastfeeding. At that time, we'll do labs and look at my egg quality.

I'd initially wanted to ask for a photo of Dr. B. with the nurses. Trish, my favorite nurse, wasn't in the office yet. Also, I'm superstitious, and decided that I'll wait until after the baby is born. I would like to bring the baby to his office and give a small gift with a card.

It was difficult for me to say goodbye. David gave him a good handshake. I hugged Dr. B. and gave him a kiss on his cheek. I told him, "We can't thank you enough."

Genetic counseling appointment

I'm waiting at Cedars Sinai Medical Center for the genetic counseling session..worrying about all the possible things which could be wrong. The paperwork asks if your baby is small. The cvs exam is next week. Then it will be another 2 weeks until we get the results. Nothing about IVF and pregnancy is easy..and so many 2ww!


The appointment itself was not bad. They had alotted 90 minutes, and I was done within 20 minutes. The genetic counselor took a detailed history of all medical issues in both David and my families. Fortunately, there are no genetic disorders (i.e. cystic fibrosis) in either family. At 37yo, we have a 2% chance of having a baby with Down's Syndrome. The genetic counselor made a point of telling me she had seen a 48yo woman (who used her own eggs) and the baby was completely healthy.


She also went over the CVS exam itself, including the two different ways in which it can be performed.


For an additional $540, we have the option of getting preliminary test results within 3 days (versus 2 weeks). We opted to forgo the "rushed results", wait, and pray for good news.

Preparing to say goodbye to Dr. Buyalos

Next Friday (June 24th) is supposed to be my last appointment with my RE. I told my hubby that I want to ask to take his picture with the nurses. Hubby feels it's not appropriate. Please share your thoughts. I found a photo of him from the internet, but it's a professional photo.

Cathy: Why don't you ask that you all get a picture taken together with the doctor and nurses ... Have a receptionist take it for you guys (: I think it's a great idea! I'm not sure my RE would do it lol but that's cuz she thinks I'm silly!

Connie: Yeah I agree! One big happy family photo for your album!
Me: Hubby also isn't sure he can make the appt because of work. He's already used a lot of time off. So, it may just be me.
Connie: Awwww
Cathy: Well it'll still be a nice picture with just you or both of you !!

Jerri: absolutely ask for a pic!  do you have someone to go w you to your appt Jess? or i can fly out for the day :P

Me: Jump on that plane!!

Jerri:  ‎:)
Me:  Actually, other than ultrasounds and blood draws which fell on weekends, and retrieval and transfer, I've been to 90 percent of the appts by myself. RE's office is 55 miles from where we live (and another 40 miles to my work). Unfortunately... hubby is hourly. I'm exempt and have used FMLA to protect my job. There have been many days where I only worked 5 hours because of morning appts, and I've used around 10 vacation days this year for appts and procedures.
Cathy:  That's where I've been lucky cuz I own our business and work is seasonal for the most part ... We don't tend to be working in the fall during the 2 cycles we've done ... My husband goes to every boring appointment with me and counts every f...ollicle with me lol holds my hand through it all ... Awwww it's the least he can do considering I have to get a needle shoved up my peekatchu while I'm awake and all he does is get to have some fun with a cup lol
Connie: Lmao!!! Cathy you crack me up!!!
Nadine:  My partner has been to evey appointment with me, just not bloodtests, but otherwsie always there & wanted to be there so he felt he was a prt of it & had to be there for transfer & EC as we live 5hrs away & wasnt going on my own - I could g...et pregnant by going down the local pub if I was that klind of gal,(which I def not, lee is my first, one & only!) so he should be there for me as Im doing it all for us, not just me :) Jess I only work prt time so used most of mine too and got nothing out of it, u got a baby so its all worth it :)
Me: You girls are the best:-) Just an update- hubby got approved to take 2 hours off of work and will be able to come to my appt next week :-)

Dana: That is great that next week is going to be the last time with this Dr and then on to a regualr Dr! I can not be more happier for you both! Congrats to the fullest and you deserve this happiness that you are feeling xxxx

Our RE- Dr. Richard Buyalos

Our two fresh ICSI embryos from our second IVF cycle. We also transferred our one frozen embryo.

 

One final appointment with Dr. Buyalos

At my appointment today, I also had labs and the cervical sample done in preparation for the CVS exam. Dr. B said if all goes well, I should only have one more appointment with him. Then, I am able to transition to an OB/GYN. While this is wonderful news, I couldn't help but feel sad. David and I both adore Dr. B, and we wouldn't be where we are at without him. While they were taking my blood this morning, the nurse mentioned that this would be my last blood draw. I started to cry. The poor nurse thought she was hurting me! I had to joke with her and told her how sad I am about leaving Dr. B. One of my nurses, Trish, told me to be sure and stop by as my bump continues to grow and to bring my baby by the office after he/she is born. Of course I will!

8W3D

8 weeks and 3 days. I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat! 144bpm

U/S at 8 weeks 3 days & Vanishing triplets

My u/s was scheduled for tomorrow, but they called me last night and asked me to come today (because his schedule for tomorrow was too busy). Baby is still small- measuring at 7 weeks 1 day, when he/she should be at 8 weeks 3 days. I was able to hear the heartbeat. RE also saw two additional small sacs and said they are either vanishing triplets or blood sacs. He didn't seem too worried and said my body should naturally absorb them.

Cathy: I've heard of the vanishing twin/triplet thing a few times. Much more common with ivf of course but too bad I'm sorry they all didn't make it :(
So what was baby measuring last u/s I forget? Heartbeat was great!! Your jelly bean is beautiful (:

Me: Last u/s it was only 4 days behind.

so beautiful Jess!! dont worry too much bubs has 7 months to catch up :)
Bonnie: how is ur pregnancy going hun? miss u xx

Cressie: Lovely scan pic !! :) congrats xxxx

Me: Still no morning sickness at all. I told the nurse that I wished I did have it, because it would be reassuring. The only symptoms I seem to have are the increased appetite and feeling easily tired.
Cathy: Jess even if baby was 4 days behind last time it's still grown a week since then so everything is fine!! Plus I saw you said heartbeat was in the 170's so I'm gonna say you got a healthy baby girl growing in you (:
Bonnie: how can u tell Cathy hun?
Me:  HR was 144
Ella: Dont be too worried about the size, its common in IVF, im still having ultrasounds to check the size and im 31weeks. It just means you'll get more scans :-) congratulations your pics are beautiful xoxo
Ella: The heart rate thing how does it work? Ours has been between 140-160 and weve been told its a boy, i hope they are right lol
Is there any other tricks to be able to tell?
Lisa: awe you little jelly bean is lovely, a nice heartbeat, i wouldnt worry about morning sickness, not everyone gets it, my mum didnt my sister inlaw found the smell of somethings (like lamb) made her queasy but that was it! Congratulations xo

Me: Elisha- my RE said the range is 120-160. Yours sounds perfect!!

Ella: Oooo cool :-) i was the same louise, i real wanted it, but other than feeling a little sick from 2 min noodle smell or kfc smell nothing. I got constant hungryness that drove me insane up till about 14 weeks. 

Cathy: Ok lower heartbeats are boys and higher heartbeats are girls... At least thats the old Wives tales ... lol worked for my babies (: Sorry Jessica I thought I saw 170 on your ivf pictures lol who knows what I was reading ... Haha have you seen the intelligender tests?? There's you tube videos of people doing them! I want to try when I'm finally preggy again (:

Me: Cathy- so with the hr at 144 (closer to mid range), what do you think I'm having??
Me: Ella- did you have an u/s where you saw the genitals?
Cathy: Hmmmm I'm gonna say a boy based on that!! That was my sons too (: The girls were over 160 (: What were you hoping for?
Me: I'm hoping for a girl:-)

Ella: Weve been told by 3 different people that its a boy, but i have a friend that was told she was having a boy and it ended up being a girl lol we have another ultrasound this saturday so im gunna ask again then. But hopefully i dont get a grumpy lady again and i hope that im able to see the baby as last time i couldnt see anything cause she wouldnt turn the screen

Mary: I've heard the same wives tale about heartrates, anything over 160 is a girl, under is a boy ... worked for our daughter's she was always fast, this current little one (I'm 22 weeks) was 120beats last week ... I have always thought this one... was a boy but I don't know the gender. We also had a midife cause a huge flurry as this baby (Pickles) was scanning a week bigger than it should have at 11 weeks, she kept telling me my dates were wrong "Love it's an IVF baby, not only can I tell yo uthe dates, but I could almost tell you the time this baby was conceived " .. she was a numnut, at our last scan baby was back to the usual range, & a far more sensible specialist said difference in sizes of babies 'is just the normal variance' - a good heartbeat & continual growth is better than only sticking to charts. Good luck, I hope your belly camper continues to thrive xoxo

Connie: Awesome!!!! Your baby is beautiful! 

Connie: So Jess did you have 2 or 3 transferred? Don't worry about size as long as they say things are sounding good and look good every baby and woman is different! I have the same tired thing and hungry!!! No sicky yet except certain smells sometimes.

Me:  I had 3 transferred. Cathy, I was wondering how you're doing with the excitement! When is your next blood test? 

Me:  Ella- I can't believe she wouldn't turn the screen! That is just cruel :-(

Cathy: Cassie smells are so bad .... When we drywalled our garage and cleaned it up we found my husbands Hugo boss construction work cologne ( haha lol) in the garage cuz last summer when I was pregnant I hated all smells !! Especially cologne! lol I also thought my husband poisoned my peanut butter cuz it tasted funny to me... lol 

Cathy: Ohhh and Mary I love the belly camper lol that's hilarious (:

Me: Ditto to belly camper :-)

Connie: ‎@ Jessica- I am super excited still, but kind of surreal! I can't wait, I go for bloodwork tomorrow to see if my numbers are doubling! And they will do prenatal screening for my blood as well, whatever that means!

Ella: Lol belly camper is awesome lol love it.  Remember with an ultra sound you can have one person do it and tell you its behind then can have someone else do it and tell you its fine, they all measure things different and allow a 2week error ga...p.  Im so excited what a good little strong heart your little munchkin has.
Smells are the worst lol i still cant handle my husbands body spray, car air freshners, and red meat, the constant hungryness is not as bad now but i will never laugh at cravings as they do exist, mine has been for racing car lollies and choc mint ice cream mmmm yummy sounds so good. The dreams are weird (barney the dinosaur tried to kill me lol) and pregnancy brain does exist too, dont put ur mobile in the freezer and ur ice cream in the pantry, they both wont do so well lol.  Ooo cant wait to hear ur updates :-) such wonderful news xoxoxo
Me: Ella- I just had a vision of Barney chasing you..lol! Thank you for your good thoughts :-)

CVS- chorionic villus sampling

When we saw Dr. B on Monday (06/06) he mentioned options for getting a CVS done. He referred me to Dr. John Williams at Cedars Sinai:

http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Bios---Physician/P-Z/John-Williams-III-MD.aspx

We have our genetic counseling session scheduled for Wednesday, June 22nd and the CVS procedure on Thursday, June 30th. They let me know that after the CVS procedure, I'll have 24 hours of bed rest and for 5 days I am not allowed to do any activity (including lifting anything over 10 lbs.). Results should come within 14 business days.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

http://www.webmd.com/baby/chorionic-villus-sampling-cvs

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a test done during early pregnancy that can find certain problems with your baby (fetus). It is generally done when either you or the father has a disease that runs in the family (genetic disorder). It may also be done when you are over age 35-being over 35 increases your chance of having a baby with a chromosome defect.

Chorionic villi are tiny finger-shaped growths found in the placenta. The genetic material in chorionic villus cells is the same as that in the baby's cells. During CVS, a sample of the chorionic villus cells is taken for biopsy. The chorionic villus cells are checked for problems. The procedure is generally done late in the first trimester, most often between the 10th and 12th weeks.

The chorionic villus sample can be collected by putting a thin flexible tube (catheter) through the vagina and cervix into the placenta. The sample can also be collected through a long, thin needle put through the belly into the placenta. Ultrasound is used to guide the catheter or needle into the correct spot for collecting the sample.

If you have a family history of certain diseases, CVS can be used to find genetic disorders, such as Tay-Sachs disease or hemophilia. It can also find chromosomal birth defects, such as Down syndrome. CVS cannot find neural tube defects and it cannot be used to see if the baby's lungs are mature.

Chorionic villus sampling can be done earlier in pregnancy (at 10 to 12 weeks) than amniocentesis (usually done at 15 to 20 weeks). This allows you to know the health of your baby and make an earlier decision whether to continue or end the pregnancy. Results of CVS can be available sooner than amniocentesis results.

First signs of nausea- 06/07/2011

I'm at 7 weeks and 3 days. Today I had my first signs of nausea. No vomiting, just some mild nausea earlier today. I actually find this reassuring :-) For the past few days, I've also been getting easily tired (especially around 4pm).

My questions answered: Embryo Size

Re saw the heartbeat. However, he seemed a bit concerned. He said the size was at 6 weeks 5 days, and I should be at 7 weeks 2 days.

Jerri: Glad to hear u saw the heartbeat. Ill be thinking of u until your next appt.
Alice: I wouldn't be too concerned about it..one of my twins always measured a week behind and she is now a 2 year old little book worm :) I'm surprised they even cared about a 4 day difference..there are so many measurement and machine errors th...at I really wouldn't pay attention..the hb is the main thing :) Think back to the days where if you wanted to find out if you were PG, they injected live rabbits with your urine and then a few days later checked if the rabbits had ovulated..if they did you were pg...lol...fact!!!...I think we know too much too soon these days, try to relax, I am sure everything will be fine :)
Ella: I'm sure everything's fine Jessica. Honestly, I don't think these health professionals understand the gravity of the things they say, to the ears of a 1st time mum! My ob/gyn was shocking for saying things that sent me into a tailspin of ...worry and when I'd go back for a scan 2 wks later, he'd say 'ah yes, that's usually the case - I just couldn't see it properly....' Aaaaaaaargh! I know better this time around so I will pull him up if he tries it again! 4 days is nothing and it can be for any number of reasons, including the angle the baby is on - sometimes they just can't get clear measurements if bub's not in the perfect position, regardless of how sophisticated the machinery is! Relax and enjoy being up the duff :) x
Kay: Congrats to you!I don't think it's anything to worry about as long as heartbeat was good sounds ok to me and it is only 4 days difference. I had scan and babies measured 5wks 2 days then a wk and 2 days later they were measuring 7wks 5 days!I think it's just how well they can see them on the scan!Go again Friday for official dating scan!Take care Xxx Also Good luck to Tanya for today hope all goes well!Xx
Cara: I can't offer advice since I've never made it that far, but I wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you and for the little bean to keep growing!
Rachel: I am 22 wks and baby boy measures a week behind! He is very healthy, this is my 3rd baby and the biggest Ive had was 6lbs12 oz...some are just smaller than others and dont always attach right when the dr say they should..thats only 4 days..i would say its perfectly fine!
Leslie: my doctor always says they measure plus or minus 4 days being okay. mine is 2days ahead both times i had an ultrasound. as long as the hb is there i would not be very worried at this point.
Anna: I cant believe he is concerning you about 4 days. That is a typical "window" for an ultrasound..give or take! Please dont worry that sounds perfectly normal!! Enjoy your pregancy:)
Tracy: yep! my doc says there is a window too! 4 days isn't a big deal-some docs are even saying a reading can be up to a week either way. Not sure why your doctor would worry you unnecessarily. As long as the heartbeat was in range-that seems fine. ;)