I found out I was pregnant at 3w2d and went to the doctor straight away. My betas were 11 and they did my first round of IVIG but were hesitant to offer any congratulations, saying that I needed at least a 50 on the betas. I knew that 11 was low, but I also knew that I found out I was pregnant pretty early. Three days later my betas were 80 and I was officially declared pregnant and told my due date was 28 December 2016. For the first 12 weeks I was scared of miscarrying even though I was on IVIG, baby aspirin, and progesterone cream. They say 1 in 3 women miscarry and with high NK cells I'm sure my odds of miscarrying were higher.
After 12 weeks I was feeling better and just hoped to make it to 24 weeks, which is considered viability. Then at 20w7d I started leaking fluid. After a few stressful hours in the early morning in the ER I found out that everything was ok.
I made it passed my second trimester and was smack dab in the middle of my third when I found out at 34w7d that the baby, who had always been at or ahead of dates, was now a few weeks behind. I know that at that point measurements can vary by as many as 4 weeks. However, it's not very comforting when everything was measuring fine before then. Two weeks later, the measurements were better, but still didn't match up so they pushed the due date back until 6 January 2017. The doctor seemed not to worry and induction was never mentioned. I know in the US they seem to induce by 39 weeks at the latest when there are immune issues involved. I guess Korea is different. I'm honestly surprised I got this far. My water broke with my daughter early in the morning at 37w2d and she was born at 37w4d. Now I'm 38w4d and I have a feeling I will be late.
I think due to the miscarriages I had before I don't want to get my hopes up. I know I'm pregnant, but I'm in denial. It's hard for me to connect to the baby. It feels weird to think that there's a little human inside of me. I definitely don't feel as excited as I did when I was pregnant with my daughter. I just want to get this all over with and have a healthy baby. I only got sick once in the first trimester and started wearing maternity clothes in my first trimester. I had some bad leg cramps in the second trimester. I've also been having Braxton Hicks throughout the third trimester. I haven't gained much weight. In fact, I haven't gained any weight since 21 weeks, but my belly keeps getting bigger.
I've finally started taking some photos of me being pregnant, but nothing like when I was pregnant with my daughter and took weekly photos. I feel more cold and objective. I file all the paperwork and organise the ultrasounds so that I can make a claim with my insurance. I have all the paperwork we need to get the baby's American passport, CRBA, and SSN as well the the Peruvian passport, DNI, and birth certificate. But the excitement's not there. I'm just holding my breath hoping that everything will be ok. My doctor is supportive. Surprisingly they haven't said anything about me having a home birth.
I also feel like a part of my freedom is being taken away. My daughter just turned 5 a few months ago. She was breastfed until she was 4 and we co-slept until she was nearly 4.5 years old. She still sneaks into my bed in the morning. But now she's independent. She can get dressed, get herself food, I can leave her alone in the bath, she picks up her toys. I can have some me time. Once the baby comes, all that will go away. I'll be starting over for the next 5 years. This baby was very much planned and wanted, but I still have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Soon, this pregnancy will come to an end and we will have another little human in the house.
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Showing posts with label first trimester. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first trimester. Show all posts
Sunday, 18 December 2016
Friday, 17 June 2016
12w2d 4D ultrasound and IVIG #4
My husband is back from his business trip and made it to the hospital with me. They did the 4D ultrasound this time. The baby kept moving around so we didn't get any good photos, but everything is ok and the baby is growing fine. I did another round of IVIG. This is number 4. The IVIG is a 5% solution of 300 ml, which is 15 gr of IVIG. They also did the 1st blood test to check for pregnancy hormones and
Down's. If I don't hear anything then there's nothing wrong. (Update: I
got a text about a week later saying the tests are normal.) I go back in
3 weeks. Maybe then I will start telling people.
Stats
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Stats
- CRL is 6.04 cm (12w5d).
- BPD is 1.77 cm (12w6d).
- FHR is 173 bpm.
- Today I paid 557,570.
- Doctor's visit: 32,260.
- IVIG #4: 289,140.
- 1st sequential blood test: 146,160.
- 4D Ultrasound 90,000.
- Tricare (my insurance) reimbursed me for 142,732.
- Out of pocket was 414,768.
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Thursday, 26 May 2016
9w1d and IVIG #3
The baby is growing and the heartbeat is fine.
Stats
Money
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Stats
- I'm 8w6d.
- The baby is measuring 9w1d.
- CRL is 2.32 cm (9w1d).
- FHR is 180 bpm.
Money
- Today I paid 381,400.
- Doctor's visit: 32,260.
- IVIG #3: 289,140.
- Ultrasound 60,000.
- Tricare (my insurance) reimbursed me for 25,808.
- Out of pocket was 355,592.
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Friday, 13 May 2016
7w2d right on track
The
baby measured 7w2d which is exactly what I should be. CRL is 1.14 cm (7w3d). FHR is 159 bpm. They also told me (surprise, surprise) that I didn't have STDs or any childhood diseases. I come back in two weeks.
Money
You can see how much all this has cost on this page. You can also check the summary of dates to see everything that has happened.
Money
- Today I paid 92,260.
- Doctor's visit: 32,260.
- Ultrasound 60,000.
- Tricare (my insurance) reimbursed me for 92,260.
- Out of pocket was 0.
You can see how much all this has cost on this page. You can also check the summary of dates to see everything that has happened.
Friday, 6 May 2016
6w2d heartbeat and IVIG #2
They heard and saw a strong heartbeat at 121 bpm which is right smack-dab where it should be. CRL is .41 cm (6w2d). Went for another round of IVIG, only 6 volumes this time which is down from 10 at 3w2d. The IVIG is a 5% solution of 300 ml, which is 15 gr of IVIG.
They also wanted to do more testing to make sure I didn't have any STDs or childhood diseases like MMR. I told them I had been vaccinated. They said unless it was in the last six months I had to get tested. I did opt out of the cervical cancer screening since I just had that done. I won't be doing more tests that I don't want to. I know they'll come back negative and it's just a waste of time and money.
I found this PDF about Normal Ranges ranges of Embryonic Length, Embryonic Heart Rate, Gestational Sac Diameter and Yolk Sac Diameter at 6–10 Weeks as well as this growth chart.
Money
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
They also wanted to do more testing to make sure I didn't have any STDs or childhood diseases like MMR. I told them I had been vaccinated. They said unless it was in the last six months I had to get tested. I did opt out of the cervical cancer screening since I just had that done. I won't be doing more tests that I don't want to. I know they'll come back negative and it's just a waste of time and money.
I found this PDF about Normal Ranges ranges of Embryonic Length, Embryonic Heart Rate, Gestational Sac Diameter and Yolk Sac Diameter at 6–10 Weeks as well as this growth chart.
Money
- Today I paid 669,280.
- Doctor's visit: 37,700.
- IVIG #2: 289,142.
- Blood test 273,338.
- Urine test 6,100.
- Ultrasound 60,000.
- Tricare (my insurance) reimbursed me for 256,104.
- Out of pocket was 413,176.
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Friday, 29 April 2016
5w2d visible yolk sac
This doctor is a bit different than other ones I've been to. Usually they measure the gestational sac and tell you how far along you are. He didn't. He just saw the yolk sac and said I was at 5 weeks. I know that the yolk sac is round mine was more of a sliver, straight up and down. It could have been the angle. They told me to come back next week.
Money
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Money
- Today I paid 92,260.
- Doctor's visit: 32,260.
- Ultrasound 60,000.
- Tricare (my insurance) reimbursed me for 92,260.
- Out of pocket was 0.
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Monday, 18 April 2016
3w5d 2nd beta 80
Today I get another beta done and needed to have at least 50. I have been having some crazy dreams. I dreamt I miscarried. Then another night I dreamt I was puking my guts out. My boobs have been hurting a lot and I didn't have those with any of my other pregnancies. My pubic bones were also hurting.
They did the test and then told me I'd get the results in 2 hours, so I went to run some errands. When I got back, the nurse said my levels were good, but she couldn't tell me the exact numbers until I saw the doctor. The doctor told me they were 80. Take that doctor! And you said my levels were low three days ago.
He told me to take progesterone (already taking that) and aspirin (already taking that) and folic acid (won't take it since many women can't metabolize it so I'm taking folate). He said I was on top of things and that he'd do a dating scan a week from Friday. I asked him about home births and he said they'd talk about it later. I'm certainly not going to give birth in a hospital if I can help it.
Money
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
They did the test and then told me I'd get the results in 2 hours, so I went to run some errands. When I got back, the nurse said my levels were good, but she couldn't tell me the exact numbers until I saw the doctor. The doctor told me they were 80. Take that doctor! And you said my levels were low three days ago.
He told me to take progesterone (already taking that) and aspirin (already taking that) and folic acid (won't take it since many women can't metabolize it so I'm taking folate). He said I was on top of things and that he'd do a dating scan a week from Friday. I asked him about home births and he said they'd talk about it later. I'm certainly not going to give birth in a hospital if I can help it.
Money
- Today I paid 71,520.
- Doctor's visit: 32,260.
- Blood test for HCG: 39,260.
- Tricare (my insurance) reimbursed me for 57,221.
- Out of pocket was 14,299.
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Friday, 15 April 2016
3w2d Positive HPT on Wondfo. 1st betas 11 and IVIG #1
I had positive OPKs on Wondfo on the 4th and the 5th, which were CD12 and CD13. I had been testing every day since Wednesday April 13th since I knew that I got pregnant easily and I needed the IVIG as soon as I got a positive. And I was hoping I'd get it before the weekend since I was working Saturday at Sunday.
I usually get up and pee a few times at night. I took a test around 8am and I had already peed three times that morning. It was negative so I threw it away. Right before I left at 9am I went peed again and took the test out of the trash in hopes that I could hold it to the light and see a line. There it was! Very, very little. But there was a line!
I dropped my daughter off at school and then called the hospital and told them I'd be coming in right away. I brought the test with me and they did a blood test in order to confirm that I was pregnant. I was on CD23 and probably about 10dpo if you keep in mind that you usually ovulate 24-72 hours after a positive OPK. The doctor told me that my betas were only 11 and that was low. For reference less than 5 is pregnant. He told me that I had to get to 50 by Monday. (Some doctors count anything over 25 as pregnant. In theory anything over 5 is pregnant, but it's a possible pregnancy since there could be problems with implantation and you could end up with a chemical pregnancy). To be honest, I was kind of annoyed to hear that I was low. I was on CD23 and most people (who aren't obsessed with TTC) don't even test that early. For those who do, about 33% get a false negatives.
I was told that my thyroid function was normal.
I asked to do the IVIG. My LMP was March 24th, so I was about 3 weeks and 2 days pregnant. Usually, they do the first IVIG at 5 weeks, but I knew that would be too late for me. They told me how much it would be and I flat out told them I couldn't afford it. The nurse told me that the doctor would charge me what he charged Koreans. I would start at 10 volumes which is 25 gr of IVIG and that is the high dosage for my weight. After the first treatment I would then would get a lower dosage of 6 volumes which is 15 gr until week 23.
The IVIG is an intravenous immunoglobulin transfusion, which is a blood product, but it's clear. It took about 2.5 hours to finish. The IVIG is a 5% solution of 500 ml, which is 25 gr of IVIG. I left home at 9am and got back at 5:30pm. Waiting for the bus and getting to the hospital takes about an hour each way.
When I got home I took another HPT. This time it was the early pregnancy Wondfo and it was negative. I couldn't believe I had done everything only to have miscarried again. A friend told me to wait until morning and take another test. I went to the store and bought FRER and at 4am I took the test and it barely came up positive. I looked at the early pregnancy Wondfo again and there was a very faint line. I guess I had to wait until it dried completely just like the first one that I took and saw the positive an hour later.
I know my betas will be at least 50 and although it's very tempting to take more HPTs and see if the line gets darker, I'm going to hold off until I know numbers. This is my 4th pregnancy in 6 months.
Money
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
I usually get up and pee a few times at night. I took a test around 8am and I had already peed three times that morning. It was negative so I threw it away. Right before I left at 9am I went peed again and took the test out of the trash in hopes that I could hold it to the light and see a line. There it was! Very, very little. But there was a line!
I dropped my daughter off at school and then called the hospital and told them I'd be coming in right away. I brought the test with me and they did a blood test in order to confirm that I was pregnant. I was on CD23 and probably about 10dpo if you keep in mind that you usually ovulate 24-72 hours after a positive OPK. The doctor told me that my betas were only 11 and that was low. For reference less than 5 is pregnant. He told me that I had to get to 50 by Monday. (Some doctors count anything over 25 as pregnant. In theory anything over 5 is pregnant, but it's a possible pregnancy since there could be problems with implantation and you could end up with a chemical pregnancy). To be honest, I was kind of annoyed to hear that I was low. I was on CD23 and most people (who aren't obsessed with TTC) don't even test that early. For those who do, about 33% get a false negatives.
I was told that my thyroid function was normal.
I asked to do the IVIG. My LMP was March 24th, so I was about 3 weeks and 2 days pregnant. Usually, they do the first IVIG at 5 weeks, but I knew that would be too late for me. They told me how much it would be and I flat out told them I couldn't afford it. The nurse told me that the doctor would charge me what he charged Koreans. I would start at 10 volumes which is 25 gr of IVIG and that is the high dosage for my weight. After the first treatment I would then would get a lower dosage of 6 volumes which is 15 gr until week 23.
The IVIG is an intravenous immunoglobulin transfusion, which is a blood product, but it's clear. It took about 2.5 hours to finish. The IVIG is a 5% solution of 500 ml, which is 25 gr of IVIG. I left home at 9am and got back at 5:30pm. Waiting for the bus and getting to the hospital takes about an hour each way.
When I got home I took another HPT. This time it was the early pregnancy Wondfo and it was negative. I couldn't believe I had done everything only to have miscarried again. A friend told me to wait until morning and take another test. I went to the store and bought FRER and at 4am I took the test and it barely came up positive. I looked at the early pregnancy Wondfo again and there was a very faint line. I guess I had to wait until it dried completely just like the first one that I took and saw the positive an hour later.
I know my betas will be at least 50 and although it's very tempting to take more HPTs and see if the line gets darker, I'm going to hold off until I know numbers. This is my 4th pregnancy in 6 months.
Money
- Today I paid 543,760.
- Doctor's visit: 12,410.
- IVIG #1: 469,190.
- Blood tests for thyroid and HCG: 62,160.
- Tricare (my insurance) reimbursed me for 119,316.
- Out of pocket was 424,444.
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
Wednesday, 6 April 2016
NK cell results
I got my NK (natural killer) cell results today. The norm is 12 and below and I have 14. This means that my body attacks the babies since it views them as invaders. Right now I'm on prednisolone for 5 days. I'm taking 4 tablets of 5mg in the morning and again at night. It's a steroid and is cheaper than the IV, which I'll need later. I'm paying about 13 cents (USD) a pill. In the USA the same pill would be $10 each. That's insane. The US really needs to fix their medical care.
I've been told that they'll do an IVIG, which is intravenous immunoglobulin, which is a blood product, once I get a positive HPT. I just bought 50 Wondfo early pregnancy tests (they're the blue and white ones) off eBay and hopefully they'll be coming soon. Once I get a positive, I need to go immediately to the doctor to get the IV. I know that some hospitals use IL, which is intralipids, which is a fatty IV and has similar results as the IVIG. It's also much cheaper, so I'm hoping we can do that. Some people only need one IV and some need it every 2 weeks throughout their pregnancy.
They did an ultrasound to make sure the lining was ok and it is.
Money
More info
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
I've been told that they'll do an IVIG, which is intravenous immunoglobulin, which is a blood product, once I get a positive HPT. I just bought 50 Wondfo early pregnancy tests (they're the blue and white ones) off eBay and hopefully they'll be coming soon. Once I get a positive, I need to go immediately to the doctor to get the IV. I know that some hospitals use IL, which is intralipids, which is a fatty IV and has similar results as the IVIG. It's also much cheaper, so I'm hoping we can do that. Some people only need one IV and some need it every 2 weeks throughout their pregnancy.
They did an ultrasound to make sure the lining was ok and it is.
Money
- Today I paid 113,260.
- Doctor's visit: 32,266.
- Ultrasound: 75,000.
- Prednisolone: 6,360.
- Tricare (my insurance) reimbursed me for 107,260.
- Out of pocket was 6,000.
More info
For more info, you can see how much this has cost, I also have a summary of dates, as well as my Rx protocol.
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