1st u/s visit, 5w

I called this morning to schedule my first u/s, and they had an 11AM appointment that I scooped right up. And they even managed to squeeze in the doctor afterward. Matt was at work so I brought my mom along (no convincing needed, she was there before I finished my sentence).

So ... we have a yolk sac!!!!!

That's my uterus! The large black thing is the gestational sac.
The small thing I circles is the yolk sac.

Last month when I went for an u/s, we only saw a gestational sac (that was measuring 5.5w - 1 week behind schedule) and nothing was inside, although we should have seen a yolk sac.

This time, we saw it clearly and the tech was super happy for me (same girl I had last time); I asked, "We didn't see that last time did we?" And she said, "Nope. This is good. This is exactly what we should be seeing at 5weeks." And the doctor confirmed that I am measuring exactly where I should be, even though this is still painfully early.

She said she wants to have me come back for my official OB visit at 7weeks, but that if I wanted another u/s next week, I can get squeezed in. I think I'll go. Who doesn't love the trans-vaginal ultrasound?

I won!

Matt's family plays this game called Silly Underdogs from one of the Nashville radio stations. You pick 3 underdogs who you believe will win their football game and if you guess right, you get points. This is like our 5th year playing, I'm usually last place.


This year I had a different strategy, picking schools that started with ABC, BIG, DUM... you get the picture. This week I picked HCG because that's been on my mind. Hawaii, Georgia, and NC State (because there was no school that started with C). And guess what ... I won! Out of all the people who played this week I got the most points. This is insane because I probably take this the least seriously of anyone -- I mean, look at my tie breaker score: 5-2, I don't think those are even possible in football? Matt and I couldn't stop laughing all morning.

Matt said, "Look, this baby is bringing us luck already!"

Now look what I won -- a tailgate party for 10 people! Now I wonder if they could ship that food up here?

HcG values and websites

I found this website where you can punch in your beta #s and see a chart.

Because I miscarried last month, I'm not 100% sure how far along I am. The only thing I know for sure is that I have a 3-day window in which we could have conceived and so I could have been either 16, 17 or 18 dpo when I took my last beta. The chart above is for 18dpo which puts me slightly higher than the average high (if I did 16dpo, I would have been way high). So I could conceivably be 5weeks today.

Another website, betabase.info, tells you how fast you are doubling. It's all good info for the paranoid person, like me, to mull over 12 hours a day.

I need to stop thinking about all this ... is it normal to have this consume my existence?

Lighting the Tree

After the good test results, we felt like some holiday cheer, so Matt and I went to see Santa light the tree in Glen Ellyn. The fire truck helps hoist Santa up high while everyone cheers down below. Music plays as he lights the tree marking the start of the holiday season.

We were hoping Sanata would dive into the crowd, but, eh, you can't get everything you want ;)

Afterwards, all the shops are open handing out cookies and hot cocoa, carolers are singing, and a living nativity scene (with barn animals) is... well, living. Kids were out, everyone was happy. It was a nice night.

3rd HcG test - 1710!

I called the doctor for my 3rd beta test results from Wednesday and they are 1710! So they more than doubled from Monday, which was 681.

My progesterone count remained about the same, 15.6, up from 15.1 last Friday. But my doctor did not seem concerned as I am on the progesterone supplements. Anything above 15 is good for pregnancy, she said. Nevertheless, I wish it had risen significantly. She was more concerned with my HcG count doubling.

But the other good news is that with my beta count so high, I can schedule an ultrasound for next week (5weeks) instead of waiting until 6weeks.

Please continue to keep me in your thoughts!

Thankful

I got my blood drawn again tonight and when I left I threw my arms up and cried, "I have a four day weekend from this all!"

I don't like to get my blood drawn. ---- It's a production: Matt has to come with me. I have to become BFFs** with the phlebotomist. I stand around getting my arms warmed up. Then I close my eyes, tap my feet, and have an out of body experience. (Seriously, I've achieved meditation status that gurus dream of.) Then I leave holding my arm, coatless into the frigid night air.

As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I am thankful to be done beta testing for now. I am thankful I have a super supportive husband to hold my hand and bring me my progesterone suppositories in the morning. I'm thankful to be pregnant again. I'm thankful tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I have family to share it with (and listen to my pregnancy stories so far).

Happy Thanksgiving!

** BFF: Best Friends Forever - and I'm serious. When my last phlebotomist Cheryl told me she was leaving, we were both so sad (well, I was) and we had to hug.

2nd Beta test - 681

The results of my 2nd beta (HcG count) is 681 @ 4weeks exactly. (They are going to go by the day I miscarried as my LMP*).

HcG is supposed to double every 48 hours in early pregnancy. At this rate, I am doubling every 32.5 hours, so I am very happy. However, I had tripling numbers last time and 1 week later the gestational sac stopped growing.

I had to request another blood test tomorrow to ensure continued increase, as well as get another progesterone count. I don't want to have to battle the nurses every time they call, but I'd like to see more urgency. For instance, she told me" numbers are good, come in at 8 weeks." I had to remind her that I have never gotten past 8 weeks... ugh.

Also, I just added a sidebar of our TTC** Timeline in case anyone (the 3 people who read my blog:-) are interested.

*LMP: Last menstrual period
**TTC: Trying to Conceive