Do You See What I See?

Today's ultrasound went beautifully. I love my perinatologist, and he and his employees seemed genuinely happy to see me today. Happy that I was pregnant again. It's nice to have two sets of eyes watching my every gestational move. Today, the peri decided to run some tests and piggybacked off my regular bi-weekly labwork, so other than having five vials of blood drawn today to appease his curiosity, it was a good day indeed.

As for what we saw, we saw one perfectly visible gestational sac with a yolk sac and a very new fetal pole (heartbeat). There was another something else there, and it's too soon to say precisely what it is.

My doctor, who is very conservative (particularly given my history) put it this way: he was unwilling to call it a twin pregnancy at this point, but he did say he's seen things like what I have later develop and reveal a growing baby. At this stage in a pregnancy, a day or two can make a world of difference.

What I mean by that is a gestational sac is not visible until 5 1/2 weeks, in general. We're estimating that I'm 5w 6d today based on when we assumed I ovulated or generally ovulate. The truth of the matter is that my pregnancy could be a couple of days younger than we think, and this early, that could mean the difference between seeing a gestational sac and not seeing one.

Also, it is not impossible for a woman to ovulate, and ovulate again a few hours or even a couple of days later. I've read forums of women who are pregnant with twins, and one measures twenty weeks, while the other measures twenty weeks and three days. That could just be a difference in size estimation, but it could also mean a discrepancy in ovulation times.

I'm not hanging onto twins, but it's not officially been ruled out yet. In an effort to explain what we saw, the doctor said what's there could just be a pocket of implantation blood revealed on the ultrasound, but (1) it looked nothing like the implatation bleeding I've seen on ultrasound before, and (2) I don't think he'd even suggest the possibility of twins unless he really thought there was some sort of a chance. Time will tell, I guess.

As of today, we're very excited to be pregnant with one baby implanted within the uterus who appears to be very healthy and is maintaining some excellent numbers. We're very curious about what the doctor found, and wonder if it will become something, or if it will merely go away. I have a repeat ultrasound in one week (at 6w6d), and again, two weeks after that (at 8w6d). Things should be clear for us very soon...

A Very Grainy First Photo


On the Big Screen

Friday's Numbers

It just occurred to me that I failed to post Friday's numbers. They've been coming in later in the day when I seem to be the busiest, so time just got away. On Friday, my HCg increased to 3889, and my progesterone went back up to 25.4.

I'm excited about that progesterone level. Ususally, I come in around 12-15, and we fight to get it up to 16-18, the low end of a good range. And when I say fight, I mean it. Usually, I'm taking two supplements orally and one compounded supplement elsewhere, and it's a real nightmare. This time, I'm taking one average dose orally, and I think that's more for my peace of mind than anything. It's that number that makes me feel very hopeful that this baby (or these babies) is (are) meant to be.

When the nurse told me of the HCg level, I was concerned it hadn't risen enough. She said they like to see them double every 48-72 hours, which it did. It doubled within 56 hours, but still, I was worried. Later in the day, when I really thought about it, I remembered that the previous number doubled every 26 hours. Most women wouldn't have their blood analyzed every three to four days, so based on that law of averages, I was still more than ok. On the chart, I still sit above the high line, and when the numbers are run, I still well within the range of twins (meaning if that's what this is, my numbers are still healthy).

This morning, we're on our way to the perinatologist for the initial scan. I'm excited, and very nervous. It's amazing to be here once again.

So Far, So Good (by James)

The nurse called with Amanda's latest blood test results. So far so good! HGC is at 3889 and progesterone climbed to 25.4. Very good numbers. The HGC "doubling time" has decreased a bit t0 57.15. This still puts Amanda in a very good place. (As long as we are doubling HGC every 48-72 hours, we're good.)

I'm anxious for the appointment Monday morning with the MFM, Dr. Trimmer. We should be at a point where we can see gestation sac, fetal pole, heart beat, etc...

I have been tracking Amanda's HGC numbers at www.betabase.info. She is still tracking at the median range for twins and tracking very high for a singleton. We are excited at the possibilities of multiples! We should definitely know on Monday how many we can expect.

Today is the first day since we found out about the pregnancy that time has actually not stood still. We are at 5 weeks 4 days today and now can see 6 weeks at the end of the tunnel.

Amanda has been exhausted. The busy times of the Holiday Season aren't helping things either.

Thank you friends for your continued prayers. They are truly appreciated and felt.

Keep growing baby.

Only 9 days -- Really!? (by James)

Has it really been only 9 days since we found out Amanda was pregnant? I don't think time can move any slower than it has.

I'm so happy we have made it to 5 weeks and 1 day today. There is something to be said about little victories. I know we have lots still ahead and things may change with each blood test results. But as for now I say "THANK YOU GOD!"

Monday we will know more of where this pregnancy is headed. I am excited, yet scared. The problem is I know way too much about early pregnancy than any person not an OB/GYN should know thanks to the internet.

Could it be twins? Maybe. That would be a nice surprise.

Still praying hard for you baby (babies).

On a New Week and Higher Numbers

Today, I crossed over into 5 weeks of pregnancy. It's so amazing that really we've only been at this just over a week, and yet, it feels like this process has been going on for ages. It's difficult to realize that many women wouldn't even know they were pregnant at this early stage in the game, whereas I've already been in cahoots with two doctors, several nurses, even more phlebotomists, and perhaps a vampire or two. There's no wonder a loss at eight or nine weeks is so hard for me -- I have more prenatal care in the first weeks of a pregnancy than many women have all along!

Barb, the OB nurse, called today with Monday's blood results: HCg 1569 and progesterone 23.2. My progesterone decreased some, but some fluctuation is normal -- even within the same day -- and my levels are still above the top of a very safe range. If Thursday's test indicates another drop into the teens, my supplementation will likely be increased. At this point, though, there's no change ordered.

As for the HCg level, the little program James runs indicated that it doubled every 26 hours. 26 hours! In a healthy singleton pregnancy, it's not even necessary to double every 48 hours -- a 66% increase is sufficient. Based on the charts he compares, there's a very high probability I'm pregnant with twins. I've been consistently within the upper median range for twins, and the middle median range for triplets. Squeal!

Back to reality, though, HCg levels aren't a precise predictor of numbers of implantations. There are so many contingencies, and because I didn't have a follicle check this month to pinpoint exactly when I ovulated (it was supposed to be a break and all), it could just be that I'm a few days further along than we think. Monday's scan should be telling, both of numbers and of gestational age, and from there, and increasing HCg level will be indicative of pregnancy health. Monday can't get here quick enough!

(Is it just me, or does the babystrology app indicate that I'm pregnant with a seahorse?)