Monday, July 20, 2009

Limbo

My first meeting with the maternal-fetal medicine specialist (which is maybe just the new-fangled thing to call a perinatologist?) was mostly just that - a meeting, in which we met. We chit-chatted about my history and what her general recommendations would be, with a lot of "if and when", since it's obviously so early. I appreciated that she didn't try to placate me with a lot of reassurance.

She reviewed my protein-S deficiencly results and thought we should retest and look at uterine blood-flow doppler before assuming that I need to switch to lovenox. My hematologist has me on low-dose aspirin until 9 weeks, then lovenox and monitoring. I know that he feels it's better to be on the lovenox just in case, and at this point I am leaning that way, too. So, I have a few weeks to think about it, and maybe the next round of bloodwork will reveal something new, but in general I am willing to err on the side of "don't #2@*% this up."

Other than that, I have nothing. I have no symptoms, no hunches, no news - just me waiting for that first ultrasound. The one good thing I found out from the MFM is that I can still go on my August trip, so at least I don't have to cancel our vacation. I do have to wear compression stockings on the plane, but I should probably do that anyway for my spider veins.

I have been tired, but I don't even have the sore progesterone boobs that I usually get regardless of the outcome of a cycle. I have no nausea, no headaches, no vivid dreams. No overwhelming sensitivity to smell, no cravings. My bras still fit, my pants aren't too tight. Although, to be honest, I'm only wearing the "IVF pants" now - regular pants have been at the far end of the closet rod for a loooooong time.

My OB wants to see me on Friday, but I think that will still be too early for any kind of scan. Done with betas and not ready for ultrasounds. Early limbo.

8 comments:

Shelby said...

I am really excited for you and totally understand the post beta, pre u/s limbo. They are some of the most torturous days, so I wish you luck and distractions aplenty! Congrats, again. It sounds like you are on board with preventative care.

Mad Hatter said...

You sound very calm, which is great. It's interesting to note that some things you normally feel regardless of the outcome of the cycle aren't happening - the fact that things are different might not be a bad thing! Hope the limbo goes by quickly!

Best When Used By said...

I'm right there with you in limbo. Like you, I have no symptoms, no nausea, no anything that makes me feel pregnant. It's terrible and tends to generate doubt and uncertainty. I keep bugging my clinic concerning my progesterone level to make sure it is high enough, because, as you said so perfectly, I'll willing to err on the side of "don't %#!* this up." On the bright side, at least you have an OB appt on Friday -- that's something!

Unknown said...

Glad all is still well. I don't have progesterone boobs either, so I was of course thinking the worst (though it's still too way too early to even test). Thanks for the glimmer of hope.

just me, dawn said...

Hang in there, symptoms are so difficult....I have made it all the way to 9w3d and still fit my bras (yes they are larger but nothing crazy) No weight gain....no vomiting....and two heartbeats....so think positive!! sending you good thoughts and can't wait to hear about your first US. ((HUGS))

Paula Keller said...

OK, I will have to go back and read your blog again to find out what MFM means. I'm sure you explained it while I had my head in the sand and wasn't reading, as I seem to do after I get bad news.

The hematologist called again this afternoon to let me know that oops, she didn't have all of the blood tests that she needed. So now I wonder if she'll find something.

I am trying to imagine myself giving myself subQ's at 9 months pregnant. I guess they don't necessarily need to be in the belly???

While I hope with everything I've got that I get another positive beta, I know the wait until ultrasound will be incredibly difficult. Sending you peaceful thoughts...

DAVs said...

You do sound very calm. I'm glad you had a nice meeting with your maternal fetal specialist. And yay for vacations! I am wanting one myself :)

Scrambled Egg said...

Congratulations and how exciting! Thanks for the encouragement on my blog. Appreciate it much. =)