First OB Appointment, 2 Ultrasounds

 Today was an extremely long, but exciting day!  It's been a few weeks since my last ultrasound so let me fill you in on how things have been progressing!

I'm currently 7 weeks 5 days pregnant with twins today. A boy and a girl (we just don't know which is which). The last ultrasound (shown again below) showed us two beating hearts within two little seed sized embryos!  They were separated quite a bit in my uterus, so I'm excited today to how much they've grown and hopefully see two strong heartbeats 🤞🏼🥰.

(Previous Ultrasound Twins at 5 weeks 5 days)

Today I have not one, but two appointments.  I have my last appointment with the fertility clinic and then my first appointment with my OB!  After doing research and polling friends and reading reviews...I ultimately decided to go back to the same OB that delivered my last three children.  The visits are about 40 miles and two hours apart, so let's hope things run smoothly!

First appointment and ultrasound picture:

Twins at 7 weeks 5 days

The first thing I noticed was how much they've grown in the short two weeks since we've peeked at them last and how much closer together they are now!  The nurse practitioner at the fertility clinic is so thorough and was able to explain everything she was looking at and had all good news to share! She said as they grow gravity will pull them closer together.  

"Baby A" (not sure if this is the same Baby A as last week) was measuring a little bigger than Baby B.  Baby A's heartbeat was recorded at 172 beats per minute and everything looked amazing she said.  Baby B's heartbeat was recorded at 152 beats per minute and was looking absolutely wonderful ❤️!  

She got several pictures of their little umbilical chords and their little yolk sacs, which she said is rare to see so well🤷🏼‍♀️😃?!  She was thrilled at how well they are progressing and asked if we would be willing to come back for one more ultrasound before graduating to an OB in two weeks? Of course I wasn't going to turn down another opportunity to see their growth and progress, so we have another ultrasound planned in two weeks🤞🏼🥰!

Next was my OB appointment...which was actually kinda funny at first.  I guess it's not everyday you have a patient come in at 7 weeks 5 days and know that they are not only pregnant, but pregnant with fraternal twins.  The staff had to ask me, how I was so sure😂...I should have come up with some witty comment.  If I channeled my husband, I would have.  Instead I re-explained that I was a gestational carrier and had gotten pregnant, via IVF and have been being monitored by the fertility clinic.

Still skeptical they called me back to do an ultrasound to confirm.  I was relieved to find that they were going to do an on the tummy ultrasound! (Whew!) My vag was not looking forward to another wand today 🤣!

Two hours and some change apart and this ultrasound confirmed exactly what the first one did.  One twin had a heart rate of 172 bpm and the other had a 152 bpm heart rate!  The measurements were the same, showing one twin slightly bigger also!  They were also able to let us hear both heartbeats...which was pretty amazing!

So the annoying thing is I'm learning that "Baby A" is whoever the ultrasound tech sees first!  (Both places) So I was excited to finally be able to start telling them apart myself!  Baby A from now on will be the bigger one with the faster heart rate (I'm thinking the girl 😜) and Baby B will be the smaller one, with the chill heartbeat...I'm thinking the boy🤭)

After the ultrasound tech confirmed it was a twin pregnancy we met with my OB.  Who was actually way cooler and more "chatty" than I ever remember him being when I was here 14 years ago!

He put my mind at ease with his ability to deliver twins but also handle my high risk pregnancy.  He let me know the main difference between this pregnancy and my prior pregnancies would be the level of ultrasounds and monitoring, especially towards the 28th week.  He said the largest concern is making sure that both babies are growing and thriving.  Competition for those resources is steep towards the end and one twin can end up taking more than the other.  Made sense and it was good to know that they will be watching them (ultrasounds two times a week) towards the end! 😲

He shared that the twins look very healthy and based on we what he saw and the fact that both embryos were tested for genetic abnormalities prior to being implanted, that my chances of having a miscarriage was very minimal and to start planning for a healthy pregnancy!🥰

He will see me in 4 weeks😀

Snacks, Nausea, and Headaches...Oh My!

My days continue to be filled with bouts of nausea and then mini cravings.  I say mini, because other than Grimaldi's pizza, once I start eating what I thought I wanted, it's no longer really what I wanted 😜 🤷🏼‍♀️.  I've also started getting really really tired...like want to take a nap at work, tired! 💤

So I try to drink and sip my freezing cold water when the eyelids become heavy...it helps a little or pull an item out of my "snackpack"... typically a rice krispie treat🤭.

The official "snackpack"

So far I've gotten three headaches and both have been on the weekend or on a day I worked from home, which I've put together, might be related to my morning routine being changed!

Typically, I wake around 4AM (naturally without an alarm) and begin my routine of taking my morning estrogen and thyroid pills, showering, etc and I am usually out the door by 6:45.  At that time I usually have some type of snack on the way into work, cereal, bagel, or an egg sandwich... depending on my mood.  On the weekends however, even though I still wake up early...I try to lay in bed longer...don't get up, and definitely am not eating a snack by 7am.  So it wasn't hard to put together, after two weekends in a row with a Saturday headache and being extra nauseous, that it's probably related to my morning routine!  Aren't I quick one?! Ha.  (So that will change this weekend!)

So when I say I had three headaches...I really had one that lasted two days and almost had me rushing to the ER.  Yes, I was in so much pain, I was actually willing to be taken to the emergency room for some relief!  I'm no stranger to headaches and migraines.  I've had them all my life and after my car accident in 2014 they were pretty severe for about 18 months.  

The biggest issue is while being pregnant I can only take Tylenol.  Tylenol doesn't do much for me and if the headache sets in too long, there's literally nothing I can do but ice my neck and head and pray I fall asleep to alleviate some of the pain. In this particular case (two weekends ago) the headache began on a Friday, late morning.  I was working from home so my routine was changed.  The work was the same, looking and reviewing spreadsheets and volumes of material on Excel (which would give most people a headache anyway😜).  By early afternoon it was pretty bad, I was super nauseous and didn't eat anything.  I kept drinking water and throwing up.  After a short nap, my headache pain dropped a bit and all I felt like was some type of bread and maybe butter.  So random!  (Date night idea, that I was taking a mental note to share with Phil 🤣.)

As luck would have it, Phil texts me a few minutes later and says we were invited by some friends to try a new restaurant in Surprise...which get this.... serves bread and different appetizers and dip!  It was so up my alley, no question we were going!  Btw the restaurant was great and so was the company, but headache was still there when we were done...womp womp.

Fast forward to Saturday morning... headache has not gone away.  I tossed and turned all night and everytime I got up to use the restroom, my headache was very proud to let me know it was still around.  To make a longer story shorter, the pain became so bad that I couldn't move my head without getting stabbing pains in one location on the top of my head.  At this point, I've said hundreds of mini prayers, asking for the pain to be relieved.  I didn't know what to do, then suddenly Phil thought to take my blood pressure.  I didn't know why, but he did and it was 155/114!  Clearly I'm in pain...but my typical BP is around 100-105 over 69-72.  So this is an extremely high jump!  We call the fertility clinic and they let us know that this is really high and they recommend going to the ER.  

As Phil is gathering our items, I stop him and ask for a blessing.  He and Boston give me a blessing that I will be healed and I ask him to get me a bag of ice and just allow me to rest for like 30 minutes longer.  (I know I've already done this...and it hasn't helped thus far, but I wanted to try)

Miraculously, I began to feel the pain subside over the next 30 minutes...the pain wasn't completely gone but it had reduced drastically!  Phil checked my blood pressure again and it had dropped to 134/108.  So he suggested that we go eat something, since I hadn't really been able to eat all day.  

We went to Garcia's (another favorite of mine) where I had some rice and beans and continued to feel better and better. When I got home we took my blood pressure again and it was 127/92!  Still high, but much better!🥳. 

By the next morning it was completely gone.  I'm so relieved I didn't have to go to the ER, but it definitely is making me acutely aware of how important it is that I keep my blood sugar from dropping too low and staying on a routine!  So thankful it went away🙏🏼❤️🥰.

Ultrasound Day!

Today is my 5 week, 5 day ultrasound appointment.  This is the first day since the transfer that we will be taking a glimpse to see the progress of the two embryos that were transferred on September 13th.  

Up to this point, we know we transfered two embryos and 5 days later I began testing positive on home pregnancy tests.  10 days later my HCG was recorded for 6 days and confirmed not only that I was pregnant, but that my levels were increasing very nicely and the nursing staff let me know these levels were a very positive sign of a healthy pregnancy.❤️

5 weeks, 5 days
(What to Expect When You're Expecting App)

The size of the embryo this week is the size of an orange seed...so we are still talking about something really small and still really early as far as pregnancy stages.  I mean...with all of my previous pregnancies I would barely be realizing that I was pregnant...let alone getting an ultrasound done!  Science and medicine and the progress that has been made is truly miraculous!  

So naturally I have this hope that both have implanted and today we will see two babies growing...but reality says there's a good chance that only one has taken hold.  There's also only about a 50% chance that we will be able to see a beating heart this early on an ultrasound.

My mind is racing with all the possibilities 🤣.  Is it one? If so, which one implanted?  Was it the girl or the boy?  If it's two, was it the two that were transferred or was it one that split?  So instead of being two fraternal twins, could it be two identical twins instead? Hahaha...we won't even go into the possibility of there being more than 2, because that's too much to wrap my head around🤯!

Okay so the time has come...we all arrive separately, but pretty much at the same time, a few minutes before my appointment.  My sister brought me some healthy juices tied with an optimistic pink and blue ribbon🩷💙!

A few minutes before the ultrasound

My name is called and my entourage and I all stand up and follow her to the back.  She shows me to my little ultrasound room and tells me to undress from the waist down. (I'm very familiar with this drill...just never have had an audience before.) So I turn to the group and say stay out here, I'll call ya when I'm ready.

I came prepared, wearing a dress so it helped me to A. Get undressed quickly (only my underwear had to go) and B. Remain decent on the back end, since I would have an audience behind me in this tiny little space!  The dress kinda pooled around me on the table, which was nice because the thin little napkin that was supposed to cover me, didn't like to stay closed in the back 🥴.

I let the group know that I was decent and they are welcomed to make their way in and find a space where they can see the screen and avoid seeing my personal bits.🫣

My husband is right behind me closest to the table I'm sitting on and my sister and her husband are to my right right next to a sink and chair.  It's a tiny space so very cozy.

The NP comes in and her eyes suddenly open wide, clearly shocked to see so many people, looks at me and asks me to share who I brought today.  (I think at this point, she must have forgotten that I'm a GC) So I start by saying these are the intended parents, my sister and her husband and then she remembers and immediately starts saying that's right, you're doing this special thing for your sister!  Well in the chaos, I fail to introduce my husband so then he says, Hi I'm Phil.  I suddenly turn around and say yes, my husband, is here also!  (Sorry babe)😜.  I think I kinda assumed she knew who my husband was, but I guess he doesn't come usually either🤷🏼‍♀️😜.  So now introductions are done...she understands why there's a need for an audience...and is ready to begin the ultrasound.  

I scoot down to the very end of the table...and she inserts the ultrasound "wand".  Almost immediately we see a little black hole with a flickering circle inside and she says we have one...with a strong little heartbeat!  Wow this early, that's a great sign!  Then she says lets look to see if we have...suddenly we see another black hole with a round circle and she says we have another!  We don't immediately see flickering like the other, but she doesn't zoom in right away. Instead moves back to the other, now named "Baby A" and begins taking measurements.  She let us know that she was able to see a yoke sac in both and even though it was quick, she was able to see the blood supply to the womb on both also, which means they are both developing and on track!  As she was taking measurements of Baby A..she said it looks strong and everything looks great!  

Baby A

Before moving to Baby B she lets us know that it's very common not to see a heart beat at this age, so if we don't see one with Baby B, she's not going to be worried at all.  As she starts to move around to look for Baby B, we see another smaller fluid filled round area and ask if that's another?!

She explains that it's not another baby, but a small bleed from implantation, which is very common with IVF.  She said, it's small, so she's not worried about it at all.  (Okay that's reassuring)

On our quest to look for Baby B, which seems a lot harder to find, she explains that Baby A is placed anterior, which is on top and that's why it's so easy to see.  Baby B, which she now has on the screen, is posterior, lying behind a lot of my arteries, so that's why it's a little harder to find right now.  As she zooms in, we all see a little flicker!  So both have heart beats and she begins taking measurements of Baby B and is just as happy as she was with Baby A.  She gives us all a very happy congratulations and tells us this pregnancy looks great, both look great and she will schedule another ultrasound in 2 weeks to take more measurements when babies have had a little more time to develop and grow ❤️❤️🥳!

Baby B

Baby A and Baby B

All four of us, super excited that both are doing well 🩷💙

Treatin' Tuesday...

Well it was too cute and completely unexpected not to share or document my unexpected surprise today.

Today's Tuesday...still one whole day away from finding out if there's one or two babies growing inside.  It started out like any other day, at 4AM.  

For whatever reason I can't seem to sleep in past 4:30AM🤷🏼‍♀️. (Probably has to do with the level of narcolepsy that overcomes me every night after my 9PM shot🤪) Oh well...so it started off like every other morning with the exception that my sister Sarah and I started texting back and forth about something silly and hilarious...in actuality it might not have been hilarious, but sisters just seem to make it that way sometimes🤣.(Since she lives across the country, she's the only one awake at this unearthly hour and I love it 💗😂)

I get to work around 7AM "snackpack" in hand.  (Fun Fact: I have a backpack that I bring to work, that used to contain some pens and my laptop...but now contains all sorts of goodies that sound good to me in the morning! (mostly cereal and granola bars and my coworkers have now affectionately started calling it a more appropriate name...a "snackpack"). I pulled out a bowl of 'Frosted Mini Wheats' and start munching while checking my emails.  It totally hit the spot, if you were wondering 🤣.

About an hour later, I start to feel nauseous out of nowhere...so I decide to go to our little vending machine and grab a gingerale.  (It sounded good for some reason!) Sipping that was great and by 11AM I was starting to feel hungry again.  I wasn't sure where I was going to go yet, but a sandwich or something with bread sounded really nice!

A few minutes later a coworker stops by and drops a huge Kneaders bag off on my desk and says, "To Summer, from Dad" with a huge smile.  

You know when you're so stunned and not expecting anything that your brain for a second can't process what is going on?  (Maybe that's just me?! 😂). Well that's what was going on...for a second I think they're joking for some odd reason then I look down at the large order receipt taped to the bag with what's inside and it has my dad's name on it!  Inside is filled with an order of Kneaders French Toast (syrup, whipped cream, and strawberries included), a pumpkin, chocolate chip cookie, a fruit tart, and a loaf of their Asiago Cheese bread with plenty of butter on the side!)

My surprise Kneaders delivery 

It all sounded so good and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time!  I called my dad to thank him and my mom, thinking for sure my momma asked him to do it...and then he shared that he did it all on his own!  (Stunned and shocked face going on...my mouth was completely open and I was holding back tears) He said that he knows what I'm doing isn't easy and he knows I must have ups and downs and he just wanted to send me something to brighten my day.  He also said he spoke to Sarah this morning and she shared that I was craving rolls the other day (true story!) So he found a place that serves bread in the morning, that delivered!❤️🥰 

I'm not used to my dad being overly thoughtful or doing sweet things like this so it came as a complete shock, made me feel super loved, and totally brightened my day!

Asiago Cheese loaf with some butter for the dinner win! 😋

Truly made my heart full and I appreciated every little thing!  I'm so lucky to have the family and friend support system that I do!  I couldn't do any of this without you guys ❤️🥰!

So excited to see what tomorrow brings...will it be one baby or two?!

Until tomorrow...

It's Ziploc Time...

So today marks that I'm officially 5 weeks pregnant! Up until this morning I've only had a few bouts of nausea and a growing list of food aversions...but full on morning sickness has not been an issue.  Until today...womp womp.

It's crazy how suddenly being sick and the feeling of morning sickness can immediately bring back all the memories from years ago, like it was yesterday!

I'm not sure if it was because I forgot to take my prenatal vitamins last night and instead took them this morning on an empty stomach?  Probably.  

But holy moly once I was completely ready it took me lying under a fan and a whole lot of self talk to be able to leave the house about thirty minutes later, Ziploc in hand of course 🤣.

I learned this trick when I was working and preggers with Brooklyn that the throwing up wasn't going to stop if I stayed home, but throwing up in a confined space and continuing to smell it wasn't a good option either.  So I tested a big ziploc on my way out the door and it's been my go to ever since!

Luckily I was able to get to work without using it...but now I have a backup in each car, just in case🤣🤢.  I started to feel a little better around 11am and the rest of the day I felt pretty good🥳😁.  So here's to hoping it was just badly timed vitamin consumption 🤞🏼❤️!

High HGC = Happy Pregnancy

Hopefully today will be my final HCG check🤞🏼!  I've had a total of three so far.  Saturday, was my 10dpt beta check at 146.8, Monday was 12dpt check at 408.4, and today needs to be at least 817.  As long as these number keep doubling, it means the pregnancy is doing well and embryo(s) are embedding nicely into my uterus ❤️🤞🏼

I arrived for my appointment s few minutes early, but ended up waiting for about 20 minutes before they called me back.  It was a different phlebotomist than the most recent two...it was the gal that gave me huge bruises last month😣.  Bumma!  I was not optimistic that having either of my arms stabbed for the second time in a few days was not gonna leave a mark😜😂.  She did not disappoint😐.

My lovely blood donating souvenirs😂

Today was no different than either of the last two, other than this time, I didn't contact their office first.  Around 4pm, I got a phone call, the nurse on the line said she had good news, my HCG level jumped to 982.7 and that my numbers are looking great!  She said since these numbers have been continuing to more than double, they are going to discontinue HCG checks 🥳😅

Next step in the process will be an ultrasound, which she scheduled, for next Wednesday, which will be my 5 week, 5 day mark!  (Only a week away from finding out how many little ones I'm hosting!)

She asked if I had any questions and I told her that my primary questions were related to what the next steps were.  Will there be more ultrasounds?  Does my medication protocol change at all?  When will I need to look for an OB?

She relayed that my medication protocol will stay the same: levothyroxine, estrogen, and PIO shots until 12 weeks of gestation.  Basically my entire first trimester.

There would be one more ultrasound, after next weeks ultrasound. Typically taken at 7 weeks, 5 days and once that's completed, I basically graduate to a regular OB.  She said most women have their own OBs by 8 weeks!  (Holy smokes time flies!  That's in 3 weeks😮😁!) I thanked her for the updates and immediately shared the results with my husband and my sister and brother in law.

We are relieved and excited that the pregnancy is going well so far❤️🙏🏼🥰 and looking forward to finding out how many little ones are in there😜🥰🥳!  

On a personal note, I'm feeling pretty good in general!  Not super nauseated... mostly still just food aversions.  My "NO" foods have increased to include:  fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, potato chips, buttered popcorn, and sometimes chocolate 🤷🏼‍♀️🥲.  So, not horrible.  My love of pizza, sandwiches, and Mexican food have all remained in tact and the same so far ❤️🥰.  

The biggest win is I've not had any more headaches since the first few days! 🥳. So praying that continues!🙏🏼🤞🏼

Well I'm 4 weeks, 5 days and this week the embryo(s) are the size of a poppy seed.  In a few days it/they will be the size of a sesame seed!  How's that for growth😁🥳

Size of growth between 4weeks and 5weeks

Second Date Update...

So it's been a whole two days since my beta HCG count, which was taken on day 10dpt.  I surpassed my expectation of having a level in the 80s with a 146.8 result!  The clinic said those were great first numbers and scheduled me for a second blood draw today.  

Today is 12dpt and for it to be considered a healthy pregnancy, we are looking for the HCG levels from Saturday, to at least double.  So I'm hoping for a solid 300🤞🏼.

My appointment was at 10:45...it was the same phlebotomist from Saturday, who remembered me and my veins😂.  She greets me and immediately says okay which one are we going with today?  I decide we better do the right one, since my left was stabbed on Saturday.  She says okay, it will be quick since your veins are awesome.  (I'm so glad I can be accommodating😜). She did her thing, a quick 2 minutes and I was done. 

I didn't have a solid breakfast this morning, so I decided grabbing some In-N-Out was in order for lunch.  I ordered my usual grilled cheese with no tomato, add raw chopped onion, and sub ketchup and mustard instead of the spread...with some light well fries.  (Fries have to be crunchy or its over🤪!)

Everything comes out great, my grilled cheese completely hits the spot and I take one bite of a fry and it's a no.  I didn't feel nauseous, it was just...nope.  😂 Hated wasting food, but I was by myself and there was no way they were going to be consumed.  😐 Can't really explain it but I remember having an aversion to french fries when I was pregnant with my first child, Brooklyn also.  

So not sure if this is going to be a permanent thing... because with Brooklyn, it was the entire 9 months.  I remember the smell of McDonald's french fries would make me ill.  😭🤢  I can do without the nausea...so if this is all I get, it's going to be a breeze! 🤞🏼😁🙏🏼

No call by 4pm, so I message the clinic...like I had to on Saturday.  (Ugh.)  I ask if my levels have been received yet...33 minutes later the clinic calls me. The woman on the phone lets me know that my levels came back at 408.4!  She said that is really good and she would like to schedule me for a third HCG test on Wednesday at 9AM.  

I end the call and then notice that while I was on the phone, I also received a message from the clinic telling me about my HCG levels and scheduling me for an 11:15 draw.  

Yay for a great HCG result...Boo for being scheduled for two appointments 😂

In either case here's where we are:

10dpt HCG-146.8

12dpt HCG-408.4

14dpt HCG... TBD 9/27 AM (Hoping at least 850🤞🏼🙏🏼)

I'm considered 4 weeks 3 days pregnant today, even though it's only been 12 days technically.  We still don't know if both babies stuck or if it's only one. HCG isn't telling that way unfortunately.  (From what I read, at around 5w5d they will schedule an ultrasound, which should tell us how many tenants I have growing, but nothing has been scheduled yet...perhaps after this next blood draw on Wednesday?🤞🏼)

The baby or babies seem to be getting comfortable and liking the "womb" so far😁🥳! (The last 6 tenants had to be evicted by induction...so I'm hopeful that the little one or ones in there now, end up feeling the same!) I'm still on levothyroxine once a day, two tabs of estrogen, three times daily, and my evening PIO shots.  

My tooshie has become pretty numb on both sides, which kind of makes it easier for me.  I can't really feel the shot or the oil as it's injected.  I don't think it makes it easier on Phil unfortunately, who still feels bad before and after every shot.🥲 The shots will continue until I'm about 12 weeks gestation, from what I understand.  So...we have about 8 weeks to go! 🥲😜🥳