Ultrasound

Things appeared to be just fine, The baby is measuring at 1 pound 4 oz. Chicken nugget was a wiggle worm today! Heart rate was 143.

I got blood work done today to check my thyroid levels. I will get those results at the appt tomorrow.

The doctor mentioned that there was a little bright spot called a intracardiac echogenic foci. It is found in roughly 3-5% of pregnancies. It may be just a calcium deposit, they're almost always benign and usually disappear eventually. It has no effect on heart function. It is just a spot that the ultrasound can pick up sometimes, especially with the more specialized procedures. It CAN be a marker for downs syndrome or other genetic disorder. The doctor was NOT concerned, there are no other physical signs/markers of abnormalities. He said genetic testing is available if desired, but did not think it was concerning or necessary since there are no other signs. He just wanted us to know since he had seen it. Thanks for having us worry about probably nothing! He wanted us to return in 10 weeks. He wants to make sure that the baby is growing as it should. He mentioned that with IVF pregnancies, there is a slightly higher chance of pre-term labor.

Here is a couple of links that talks a little more about it.

http://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/Images/GEN_US%20EIF%20handout_tcm63-9941.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echogenic_intracardiac_focus

Breastmilk after surrogacy

This may be weird to some, but one of the things that have been most uncomfortable for me about the surrogacy is the fact that I will have breast milk and no baby to feed! I feel like it is such a waste. I am a BIG advocate of breastfeeding and feel bad that I will not be able to share the wonderful goodness of breast milk with the baby I carried.

I considered donating, but I do not pump well. I pumped a little with each of my 3 children, especially in the beginning to get my milk supply up and when I was away during feeding time (which was hardly ever). I just never responded well to the pump - didn't get as much out as if I was feeding the baby naturally. If I could be a wet nurse for a baby during the day, I so would do it. A child that lived close that I could feed 4 times a day or something like that.......

A friend of mine was a La Leche League leader and passed on my circumstances to the another leader. I talked with her last night and she gave me some helpful information.

Here is what I remember from the conversation:
try NOT to stimulate your nipples/breast before delivery/soon after.
It is NOT recommended to bind the breast - this could lead to mastitis - wear a supportive bra
If I get engorged, hand express ONLY to relieve pressure/get to a level of discomfort you can live with, don't totally empty, otherwise your breasts will increase supply.
Ibuprofen can help with inflammation, but it is not recommended for the 1st 4 weeks after delivery. Take Tylenol for pain. Ibuprofen is a closer relative to aspirin and can cause hemorrhaging if taken after delivery. Be cautious with Tylenol as it can cause liver damage if taken too much.
Cold medicine with pseudo-ephedrine may be helpful to dry up fluid. This is the kind that is behind the counter now that you have to sign for as it can be used in making crystal meth. She said even just a couple of doses have helped some women she has worked with.
Sage tea or eating sage herb may be helpful.
Ice on the engorged breasts may help.

She said I may get differing opinions from hospital staff, but this is what she recommends based on the current research she has done. I suggest doing your own research and make informed decisions for what is best for you.

She included a couple of good videos about hand expression of milk to relieve some of the engorgement.
http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html
http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/helpme_video_hand_expression.html

Hope this is helpful. I would be interested in hearing what other people plan on doing/what they have done.

21 week belly pics

Well, I wanted to take a 20 week photo, but I was not happy with my sweaty, homely, appearance last week, so it never happened. I didn't want week 21 passing by without getting a photo, so alas - here they are. I figured I better not wait till I looked good, just take the damn pic already! lol

Lil' chicken nugget is moving around letting me know of his/her presence! Mixing this heat and my growing pregnant belly has not been a good combination - not been getting things done especially around the yard! It is a bit more uncomfortable to get good sleep too. I don't expect these things to get better......

I am loving my curvy belly and breasts- went and got a bikini top to wear with my swim shorts so I could show off my belly. lol I think a pregnant body is pretty damn sexy, if I do say so myself. I think my husband thinks so too. ;)

Dream

I was having an ultrasound, but it was being done in water in a tub. I started bleeding and freaking out all worried. The technician and staff present were not worried, telling me they knew someone who delivered a 6 week old fetus and it survived. I did not believe them, but they were adamant. I delivered a baby girl and her parents named her Brooke.

Pre-natal appt

Today's dr. visit went well. My blood pressure was great at 110/66. The baby's heart rate was fluctuating between 147 and 153 - just fine. I actually LOST 3.5 lbs! What the heck?! The doctor was not concerned about it as the baby is measuring where he/she should. He said I have plenty of time left to get all bloated. :) I guess all the weight is going where it should - to the baby as he/she is measuring at 19 weeks 4 days. I suppose it has been due to how active I have been this summer.
My TSH (thyroid levels) were very low at .24. I thought I felt "off." He decreased the 2 extra doses a week to no extra doses, just 1 tablet a day and I am to be rechecked in 4 weeks. Hope this gives me some extra energy!

19 weeks - ultrasound

Today, I had an ultrasound. It was with a specialist. I guess the doctor recommended it since I am 36 years old. I guess I am considered old for childbearing! The mom, her 4 year old son, and the mom's sister made the few hour drive to come to the appt. It was so nice they could attend. The ultrasound was very comprehensive. The baby looked great, measured at 19 weeks, 4 days. Sorry, I have no pics to post as the momma took them home. The doctor recommends I return in 4 weeks for another ultrasound to focus on the heart. Supposedly there is new research that shows an increase in heart defects with IVF pregnancies. I got lab work done to check my thyroid levels. I should have the results tomorrow. I also have an appt. with my OB doctor tomorrow for a general pre-natal appt.
After the appt. today, I picked up my kids from my mom's and met with the baby's mom, aunt, and big brother at a local park for a while. It was so nice to visit and have the kids play together.
The parents did not want to find out the gender of the baby. However, I learned that the mom's sister calls the mom chicken, so the baby has been named chicken nugget. :)
I will update after tomorrow's appt and plan to post a 20 week belly pic.

16 week pics!

16 weeks! This baby will here before we know it! Things are going well. I am in contact with the mom often via e-mail. I am feeling good. The next dr. appt.will be the big ultrasound. I am enjoying the summer with my own kiddos. Life is good. Damn, I am looking tan from working in the yard and taking the kids to the pool!