16 week check

16 weeks, 5 days today - to be exact!

My appt yesterday went very well. The 17P shots from Wedgewood pharmacy arrived to my door without any glitches, and my insurance is covering it (reimbursing me) as a matter-of-course. It worked out perfectly. Phew! I brought it to the clinic, and nurse injected it for me with minimal pain. So far, so good. Just 19 more weekly shots to go.

I have started to notice a few contractions here and there. Dr. Wiedel stated that while it is a bit early to feel them, it is still within the normal range. It is good that I am feeling no pain, just tightening. Although, I didn't feel any pain with Alden either. So the main thing I have to notice is if they are frequent and regular (2 contractions every hour, for example). Mine are not. I am feeling 1 or 2 in the morning, 1-2 in the PM, 1-2 at night. They are still very random and not frequent. She said that if I start to be concerned, at any point I can come in to have a cervical u/s check. She did one today (I have them every 2 weeks now with the OB), and my cervix is still perfect at a little over 4 cm. I will start to have the cervical checks every 2 weeks at my high risk Perinatologist's clinic starting at 20 weeks. If there is any sign of change, the Peri would take the lead on course of action - whether it would be bed rest, medication, cervical cerclage, etc.

I heard the heartbeat yesterday as well. About 159 bpm. It was strong, like a horse's gallop.

The Elusive 17P Shot

Just a quick update on the recent drama. Last Thursday, I received a phone call from one of my doctor's nurses (I'll call her Wicked Nurse)who states that they can't give me 17P at their clinic because the manufacturer only makes it with latex stoppers. I'm allergic. She refers me to a home health service which gives latex-free injections. And if my insurance won't cover it? Oh well! "We'll just continue to monitor you closely." I DON'T THINK SO! I honestly don't know if I would have risked getting pregnant again if the only thing that could be done for me is "close monitoring." I went into full blown panic mode - especially when my insurance denied the service. Then on Monday (the same day as my son's eye surgery) a different nurse (Good Nurse)called to inform me that she called basically all the clinics and pharmacies in Wisconsin to try to find a 17P source that is latex-free with no luck. Also, I am apparently the first and only high risk preggo to also have a latex allergy. Totally ludicrous, I say. But she goes on to inform me that she started to call pharmacies in other states, and found one who will provide 17P latex-free, and will ship it to me tomorrow. My plan is to pay the expense out-of-pocket for one month, and guilt-trip my insurance (do you want to pay $1 million to the NICU, or $300 to the pharmacy?) into reimbursing me and covering the remainder of my shots (I need 20. One a week starting at 16 weeks). So that is the plan. I am apparently foraging the way for future Wisconsin high risk preggos who can't stand latex. Lucky me.

12 week check

12 weeks, 4 days today...

I heard the heartbeat - 164 bpm! I was not expecting to be able to hear it so soon, it was a wonderful treat. Everything is great so far. I just love the clinic. I feel listened to, and all of my questions and concerns are taken seriously.

We discussed the plan again. At my 16 week check, I will start the p17 shots. I will then continue to get the shot every week until at least 34-35 weeks. I can continue until 37 weeks, if I want, which I might. I will also see Dr. Wiedel every two weeks starting at 16 weeks. My first ultrasound will happen at 20 weeks, with cervical check ultrasounds every 2 weeks after that. We are so excited for 20 weeks! And no, we do not want to find out if baby is a girl or boy at that time. We will only find out if I have to be put on bedrest. I believe it will help me to focus on "the light at the end of the tunnel," if I have to ever go through that.

We are hoping for a long, boring, uneventful pregnancy!

First Visit

Sorry it has taken me awhile to post about my first visit, but I have been waiting for DH to help me scan the u/s (see below!). I couldn't see the midwives again, because I am now high risk. I didn't like that there are 10 of them anyways - I never saw the same provider twice. Also, I wasn't too impressed with my experience with the UW-Clinic MDs while I was in the hospitalized with Alden. There were, again, too many and none of them seemed to know what they were talking about. So I switched to Associated Physicians. A smaller practice (5 OBs - hopefully I will get to meet them all!). One of whom was referred to me by a nurse/preemie Mom. She was referred to the MD by another MD/preemie mom.

Dr. Weidel seems fabulous. She took a lot of time with me answering my questions and talking about the plan. She did the ultrasound herself. Basically, I am going to start the progesterone shots at 16 weeks, as well as a small bit of Prozac to build it up in my system so when I hit 20 weeks, I won't be at as high risk for PTSD. Both she and the perinatologist are concerned about the effect of stress/anxiety on this pregnancy. I too am concerned about getting anxious when I hit the same time period (20-26 weeks) when things went downhill in my last pregnancy. Dr. Weidel is also going to prescribe something in case I have an anxiety attack during that time. She anticipates me not needing those meds once I hit about 28-30 weeks, and I agree. We will celebrate then. Also, I am going to see her every 1-2 weeks starting at 16 weeks. I will start to see the perinatologist at 20 weeks. The Peri will do an ultrasound every 2 weeks until baby is here, to measure my cervix. At the first sign of any change, they will pull me off work. I will either be on bedrest at home, or in the hospital, depending on the severity of the change, and on whether or not I can truly rest at home.

So that's the plan for now! I am seeing her again when I am 12 weeks.

Here's our little bean! At the time, measuring 8 weeks, 3 days. Thanks to charting my cycle, I was right on for when I conceived! Heart-rate, cervical length, and everything else looked great.