Been very manic here due to family still being in town. They leave today and then tomorrow we're off to Portland for the NY weekend because we need a break!
Anyway - on to news about 'Mr/Ms Bump' seeing as I haven't actually written much of anything so far!
I'm 13 wks on Saturday......and the nausea and tiredness that I've suffered for the first 12 weeks seem to be abating somewhat, although not entirely. I'm also in a permanently grumpy mood according to Gareth. Everyone else is convinced I'm having a girl because the symptoms are so different from the first two pregnancies, but I'm not so sure because the odds are something like 75% in favour of a boy given we already have 2 boys. I guess we'll find out soon at the next scan mid January!
The care here in America is somewhat different to Canada and obviously different again to the UK. It's interesting to experience the different ways different countries & health providers have in looking after you. In Canada I saw a Hematologist who referred me to the High Risk pregnancy clinic who then looked after me for the whole pregnancy. The Hematologists managed my blood issues and the HRC managed everything else. They treated me as if I had Gestational Diabetes from day 1 (because I'd had it the first time) and I was seen every 2 weeks and managed very closely carefully.
My initial reaction to care here is that it's not quite as full on as Canada, which is odd considering that this is the land of overdoing medical intervention for fear of being sued. I first had to make an appointment with an OB .. this is where my checkups will be done. She saw me at 6 wks , then at 12 wks, then I'll go again at 16 wks...etc. This is quite 'normal' but less than I was seen in Canada and obviously being 'High Risk' I fret and worry a little. They just tested me for Gestational Diabetes at 12 wks and I tested negative. They don't test again until 28 weeks which worries me a little - surely the period in between is a bit lengthy!
For the 'High Risk' aspects of my care I am referred to the 'Maternal Fetal Medicinie' unit at the hospital. An appt with the Perinatologist at 6kws resulted in my being put on to Lovenox (a low molecluar weight Heparin similar to Fragmin that I was given last time). Much earlier than the last pregnancy - last time it was around 15 wks. I quizzed the Doctor quite intensely as I was concerned about not seeing a Hematologist but he was rather reassuring that they deal with pregnancy related blood disorders far more often than a Hemo will and that they knew what they were doing! He is the one also diagnosed me with MTHFR (bastard) and on top of the Lovenox I'm also having to take 5mg of Folic Acid daily (this is alot compared to 800mcg the average person takes) and a baby aspirin daily. Consequently my stomach is far more black and blue than it's ever been.
The MFM clinic also did the 'Nuchal Scan' last week ... I only qualify for this because of my 'Advanced Maternal Age' (35!). This differs again to Canada where everyone is offered this scan, and the UK where we were offered it 8 yrs ago with Dylan because they were pioneering it there!
The MFM clinic will also do the further scans (a 'normal' person would have their scans at the OB's office). I have another at 16 wks then they'll do the 20 wk and so forth. They'll do regular scans looking for blood clotting issues on the placenta (thankfully). I'll continue to go to the OB for my regular checkups and the OB will be the one doing the (c/section) delivery at 39 wks.
So yeah, it's a bit different, but I think I'm being looked after rather well.. which is always a concern given my health problems.
Otherwise I'm a bit nervous about having more children than adults in the house. I'm also nervous about the house being impractical in layout. I'm nervous that we'll never afford to do anything or go anywhere again, and I'm nervous that I'll never have a minutes peace! Aside from that - bring it on, I'm excited about this little one!
Posted by katie at December 28, 2006 02:10 PM75%?
I'm the eldest of three, my brother is in the middle and then my sister is the youngest...
... or then there's the nephews/nieces (from my wife's side so it's not inherited) Eledest - girl, Middle - girl, Youngest - boy.
98% of statistics are made up, and the other 2% are lies ;-)
Our hospital policy is not to tell us the sex of our baby (the UK seems to be getting as lawsuit happy as the US) so if we wanted to know ahead of the birth we'd have to pay for a private scan. Neither of us are (at the moment) that bothered as long as it all goes smoothly so I guess we'll be waiting for the surprise!
Posted by: Aka at December 28, 2006 05:26 PMI know you may not recall all of this but when I was first diagnosed with PSD you were one of the first people I talked to. I was a few months pregnate with my son Austin. This was in 2004 while you were pregnate with Harry. Here it is the end of 2006 and we both have great 2 yr olds running around. I am currently 24wks with my second child and I came back to the PSD site and see your pregnate again too. I went to your blog like I had when I was preg with Austin. I wanted to be a little nosey and see how your boys where doing. Then I see the oddest simularity. About two months ago I was diagnosed with what my hemo said was really rare form of the MTHFR mutation. I have both forms of the mutation but only on one side of my genes. I just thought that all of this was just a little odd and that I would share this with you. Congrads on the pregnacy and I hope everything goes great this time around.