Spotting leads to a perfect ultrasound

So there it is, Baby Robine's big debut!

The story:

Last night after running errands, I had some spotting. I got very scared. This happened one day before the spotting started in my last pregnancy. I just couldn't believe that it was happening again!

This morning, I called my doctor and I went in for an ultrasound this afternoon. Everything looks good. The baby is measuring 6 weeks 6 days (I am 6 weeks 5 days), was 9 mm long, and had a heart rate of 128. I didn't get to talk to my doctor, but the ultrasound tech said that these numbers were very normal for how far along I am.

I have a cyst on my right ovary from ovulating on that side (Random thought - I ovulated on my left side last time. At least I know that both sides are in working order!). That also explains the random sharp pains I am getting on that side.

There was no explanation for the spotting.

I still have my appointment to see my OB on Wednesday morning. I hope to get a few answers, although I know that there isn't any that will make me feel better. I will only feel better if I don't have anymore spotting.

6 weeks!

I'm six weeks today!

I have a few milestones that I am anxiously awaiting.

I have my first OB appointment scheduled for October 1st (one week from today). I had to reschedule my last appointment because of my trip back home for my grandma's funeral. I've been told that I will get an early ultrasound to make sure that everything is okay, but I don't know if that will be done at this appointment or if they will make me come in at another time.

In 3 weeks, I will be in uncharted territory. I will be past the time in my last pregnancy that I start spotting (6w5d) and eventually miscarrying (8w3d).

And of course, my ultimate milestone is when I hit 12 weeks! It will be such a relief to be out of the first trimester.

This pregnancy has been very different from my last. I have been very nauseous. I have to eat every 2 hours, but I can't eat too much at one time. I'm not very good at finding the balance between not enough and too much food in my stomach. Overall, I feel yucky! Between the nausea, my stuffy nose (this may be allergies), feeling so fat because I am always stuffing food down my throat, sore boobs and nipples, and being tired, I can tell I am pregnant. I am hoping that a different pregnancy will lead to a different outcome!

My Grandma

My grandma passed away on Saturday. She had been sick for the last few years, but the last few months have been hell on earth for her. She had Leukemia, along with bouts of infections in her intestines and pneumonia. The Leukemia had caused her spleen to get so big that she was in constant pain and nearly immobile. She told me when I saw her in August that she prayed every time she went to sleep, that she wouldn't wake up and that she just wanted God to take her home so she could be with my grandpa and her mother. She didn't understand why dying had to be so hard when that is what she wanted more than anything. It was so depressing to talk to her because she was so miserable. Needless to say, her death was not a shock, it was more of a relief. I love my grandma so much and I can't imagine making trips to Vegas and not seeing her, but I have to remember that this what she has wanted. She is no longer in pain and she is with her mom and husband again.

One of the hardest things about my grandma's death is the thought that my mom no longer has her mom. I am so sad for her. I can't imagine what she is feeling and I cry just thinking about not having my mom anymore.

The last conversation I had with my grandma was when I found out I was pregnant again. She was so happy for us and I am so glad I was able to share the happy news with her before she passed. I know she is watching down on us and helping us to protect this pregnancy.

Dom and I are going to Vegas tomorrow morning and will be there until Sunday. My grandma's viewing/visitation is tomorrow afternoon and her funeral will be Thursday morning. We are going to spend a few extra days in Vegas so we can catch up with some of my other family members. My sister and her boyfriend will be there too.

We're looking good!

At 13 dpo, my Beta HCG was 363 and my progesterone was 15.4.

My HCG sky-rocketed and my progesterone is getting further from 11 so I'm happy!

I also scheduled my first appointment for 9/18. That's only a week from tomorrow. I'll only be a few days past 5 weeks but I wanted to get it scheduled for a time that Dom would be able to come with me.

So now the big question is, "When will this pregnancy set it?"

I've officially missed a period and I have great lab work. That's pretty concrete proof that I'm pregnant.

But I'm almost in denial. I get waves of excitement, followed by waves of fear, but I'm mostly in denial. I think this is my way of protecting my heart. And not letting my mind go THERE.

Dom is acting the same way. He doesn't want to talk about anything related to the pregnancy until I'm past 12 weeks.

I'm sure our feelings will change in a few weeks. Or I guess I should say that I hope our feelings change in a few weeks. I don't want to miss out on the excitement of being newly pregnant. I feel like I would be letting this baby down if I didn't jump in head first.

But for now, I'm pregnant with no tickers or a due date written on my calendar or weekly emails updating me on my pregnancy.

So far, so good!

I got my results from my blood draw from Saturday.

At 10 days post ovulation, my Beta HCG was 39 and my progesterone was 13.1.

I'm officially pregnant!

The nurse told me that they aren't concerned about my progesterone. Anything above 11 is considered normal. They would start getting concerned if it were 12, but not 13. I don't know about you, but I think my 13.1 is pretty dang close to 12! I decided not to push the point until we got the results from my second blood draw.

Oh yeah, and about that second blood draw. It didn't get done today like it was supposed to. I rushed out of work to make my 4:20 appointment at the lab, only to sit and wait and wait and wait. They kept calling everyone else. Finally at 4:45 they called me back, only to find out that they didn't receive my orders that were faxed from my doctor's office. I rushed to call the office to see if they could fax them again, only to get the "you have reached the office after normal office hours" message. It was 4:58! They still had two minutes until they were closed. Do you see how this terrible chain of events had me close to tears by the time I walked out of the lab. I just wanted to get my blood drawn so I could have my results!

Not to mention that I had a horrible day at work!

I was pissed off at the world by the time I got home! I told Dom that I was hoping terrible mood and hatred to everyone was a reaction to raging hormones! I would be okay with that! The only thing that would make it better is if I were nausous and hanging from the toilet because I was so sick! Anything for a healthy pregnancy and baby!!!

Yea!!!! I'm pregnant!!!!

Taking deep breaths...

Went for blood work this morning and will get the results on Monday.

What I have been dreading...

When I started school, I was waiting for someone to say that they or their daughter was pregnant and due at the end of February. I knew that I won't be able to watch or hear stories about someone that is at the same stage in pregnancy that I SHOULD be. And I knew that I would be heartbroken all over again when that person gave birth at the same time that I SHOULD be meeting my baby. But that didn't happen. No one announced a late February due date! I thought I was in the clear.

But, wam, like a ton of bricks, it hit me this afternoon. My former student teacher and now fellow-SLP just announced that she is pregnant and due February 21st! Yep, that was my exact due date. What are the chances? I went into instant shock when I read her email. Thank god she told me by email because I don't think I would have been able to cover up my disappointment if she would have told me in person.

Don't get me wrong, I like this girl a lot and don't want anything less for her but why does she have to be due at the end of February and on my due date, no less. Just a few weeks earlier or later would have been okay. I have had very normal conversations with my co-worker that is due the end of January. No problem there. It's just the timing that is the problem with this situation.

By the way, two of the ladies that I eat lunch with have pregnant daughters but I don't know when they are due. I can't bring myself to ask. I may have practice my excited response so it doesn't catch me unprepared!

Overall, today was not a good day. Some of my students were falling apart, it was raining, my low tire pressure light came on when I was driving home, I forgot my cell (which is also my planner) at home, and so on. The only good thing that happened today were the surprise roses I got from Dom! They are beautiful! Unexpected flowers are the best! I received them before my afternoon turned to shit, so it was nice to see them sitting on my desk when I was sad!