February 2, 2011
22 week update
First of all, thank you so much for the great feedback regarding my OB freakout. I am going to wait and see what happens at my next appointment and then will make a decision for us moving forward. I’m planning to do a lot more reading and research about doulas, natural childbirth, and advocating for yourself…but I feel better that S and I will be able to work together to handle whatever comes our way.
I had a day full of appointments yesterday – first with my acupuncturist/herbalist and then a shiatsu massage (from his wife). Some of you may recall that I broke up with my acupuncturist over a year ago…well, when my leg got bad I decided to get back in touch with their office, in the hopes that something would help. (Some of you mentioned a chiropractor, but I was cautioned against doing that since pregnant muscles are extra pliable and may be stretched too far.) Despite a great few hours of being pampered (the benefits of snow days and “working” from home), my numb leg came back pretty soon afterwards. I’m still taking B12, under their guidance, and hoping that might make a difference. After that, I think I’ll just have to accept the fact that these are the cards I was dealt. In the grand scheme of things, I still got away easy. 😉
Here’s a quick 22 week update:
How am I feeling? Getting tired, and uncomfortable when I eat too much again, and starting to get heartburn. Oh and don’t forget my numb/burning legs. But loving the continued belly growth!
Weight gain? +5 lbs (as soon as I asked the doctor about my weight I started gaining…story of my life 😉 )
Cravings? None right now, still trying to cut back on the sugar and add in more fruits and vegetables.
Milestones? Feeling the baby move from the outside, and having S feel it for the first time!
January 15, 2010
Acu, oops, and thanks!
Getting ready to head out the door for a much needed long weekend, but wanted to write a quick post.
Firstly, for all of those who thought I had my act together, I’ve proven you wrong. 😛 This morning, on my third day of injections, I totally FORGOT to do my Lupron before leaving for work this morning!! I got up early (really, on time) and just blasted out the door without doing it! (I have it planned for 6 am, so I do it right before I leave if I get up on time, and right when I wake up if I sleep in…and I guess I’ll have to set an alarm for the weekends. ;-)) S – my hero – totally rearranged his whole morning in order to go home, get it, and then drive it in to me in the city (not happy about it, but he did it). Thank goodness! Today, I’m definitely thankful for my wonderful hubby. So I ended up doing it four hours late…not a huge deal for day 3, although I definitely don’t plan to repeat that.
In other news, I went to my first appointment with a new acupuncturist – located right down the street from my RE, who works in conjunction with Western medicine (and my RE’s office in particular). Some of you may remember my breaking up with my old acu…mostly over a misunderstanding, but also because he just couldn’t get behind IVF and I really wanted someone who could see the value in the two treatments combined. The new acu is super sweet (a little hard to understand, but that’s okay!) and over half of his patients are there for fertility treatments. He’s a little more expensive than I was hoping, but it will be fine for 5 or 6 treatments, just up to and through the transfer. He also reminded me that I need to get back on track with my diet, so wish me luck! Maybe I’ll wait until after the weekend. 😉
Finally, just wanted to leave you with the passage from today’s daily devotion:
In times of crisis, we grasp the importance of every hour. During our ordinary routine, however, we often forget that each day is a second chance. “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’ ” (Lam. 3:22-24).
We can choose to live with thankfulness for God’s mercy and grace, with confidence in His faithful care, and with hope because He is with us forever. Today, God offers us a second chance in life. Let’s make the most of it! —David McCasland
In light of the crisis in Haiti, let’s all remember to be thankful for what we have, and to treat each and every day as a fresh start. Hugs!
October 10, 2009
Breaking up is hard to do-oooooo
Several weeks ago, I finally sent off an email that I had been dreading for a long time, telling my acupuncturist/herbalist that we would be moving forward with IVF #3, and effectively dashing both of our dreams that we could use TCM (chinese medicine) to get me pregnant “naturally.” I know that it was ridiculous for me to care as much as I did, but I really felt like I was breaking up with him. Even though I had planned to continue acupuncture during IVF, I knew that this would essentially say to him that I knew his way wasn’t working, and I felt bad. We also had grown closer (I thought!) than a standard client/practicioner relationship because I had been regularly babysitting for his son and bartering our services. Add that to the fact that he really stands by his practice and Eastern medicine in general, and doesn’t seem to believe in (or agree with) IVF, and I was a bit worried about being judged.
After over a week of radio silence, I finally got a response. Here are some of my favorite (insert sarcasm here) parts:
- In response to my comment that I’d be seeing the chief (doctor) at one of the best teaching hospitals in the state:
Does he wear a big headress with feathers and do you smoke a ceremonial long pipe in his teepee? - In response to my saying that I feel good about moving forward, but hope that he’s not disappointed in me:
Sure, it is your choice…I just want you to be strong enough to carry the pregnancy.
And more of the same…essentially what I thought was a very condescending and not at all supportive response. After asking him to clarify what he meant by not being strong enough (to which his answer was concerning uterine lining and hormone levels – not related to any specific problems I’ve had, just the things that are important to a successful pregnancy, and also, clearly all things that the doctors would also be monitoring!), I basically said that I thought we should take a break. After lots of awkward back and forth where I had to explain what parts of his email I thought were condescending (!), I finally got the response I had been looking for, which was a simple “I sincerely wish you guys the best – you so deserve to have a family. Please do keep me posted.”
At this point, I still feel a bit sad that things had to end this way, but I’m proud of myself for standing up to him. He deals with clients with serious and sensitive health issues on a regular basis, and I felt like he needed to know how he was coming across to others and that I needed to stand up for those who might not be able to stand up for themselves!
May 11, 2009
AF has arrived!
That’s “Aunt Flo” for you non-IFers. 😉 For the first time, ever, in my entire life, I just got my period after a NATURAL (no drugs!!), normal 30-day cycle!!!!!
I had my period induced a month ago because I had gone six months without it, but the only thing I did during this month’s cycle was a once-weekly acupuncture appointment. He worked different points this cycle, most notably on my hand (one on the inside of the base of my thumb and one on the outside of the base of the opposite ring finger – called Return to the Nest), and I am convinced that they made a difference.
On top of that, I truly believe that I know when I ovulated this cycle (I could probably tell you the exact day), I just wouldn’t let myself believe it. Now that I have evidence (ahem 😉 ), I am just beside myself. I’ve never been so happy to feel so miserable. I know that our problems aren’t completely over, but for someone who was previously anovulatory, this is a HUGE deal. 😛 Yee-ha!!
Life by the Day 