Baby # 5 20 Week Check

I had my 20 week ultrasound and doctors appointment this morning. I took all four kids with me because we woke up to about a foot of snow, so school was cancelled. Emily and Mordecai were pretty excited for the gender reveal part because everyone, except Ivy, Mike and me were expecting it to be a boy. Mike didn't have a feeling one way, Ivy said it was a girl-boy, and I knew it was a girl from symptoms I had while pregnant with the other girls. Anyway, the ultrasound tech asked if we wanted to know the sex and we said yes. When she said "girl" Mordecai looked pretty bummed, and then quickly said, "we aren't done yet. We are going to keep trying until we get another boy." I laughed a little. I feel bad for him, he wants a brother so bad. I can't say if we are for sure done, especially since we've always said we will just trust the Lord, but I can tell you that I felt and still feel like I'm missing a boy. Whether that's because I just want one, we are going to have one, or have one after we are resurrected I dont know.

Anyway, everything went well with the appointment. She is measuring right on track, and her heartbeat it strong. I will have 2 more ultrasounds with her at 30 and 36 weeks to continue to monitor her growth, since after Ivy's 20 week appointment was when growing problems happened. My fundal measurement was almost 21cm which I should have just been around 20cm so that's promising. We are also pretty sure her name is going to be Milly. We decided her name should end in "y" since the other girls do, and that she should be named after one of Mike's grandmas, either Lillian or Mildred. Everyone loves Milly since it's more unique and Ivy talks about her all the time. Mike was able to feel her move this morning so reality is starting sink in. 

Ivy's 3 Year Old Well Child

Today we had Ivy's well child exam. She and Ruby decided that it would be funny to hide behind the play kitchen and scare Dr. Miller in the room we were in. He was such a good sport and pretended to be scared. Dr. Miller did all the regular routine questions, and she passed them with flying colors. There were no shots this time, which made for a quick and easy visit. She went up in height, but is still low in the weight category. She is a peanut.

Weight: 25lbs 5 oz. - 4%
Height: 37 1/4" - 56%

Getting Baby #5

So in January or February I made an appointment with Dr. Huynh to figure out why we were not getting pregnant. She was confident that I would be pregnant by the holidays, which I wasn't. Anyway she set up some blood work to be done on day 3 of my cycle because she said that was the first line of defense. I got a call from her about a week later telling me that my blood work was all normal except my AMH level, anti-mullerian hormone. She said she called a specialist friend because this was such a new test she didn't know how to interpret the results, but that he was out of town for a week so she would get back to me when she heard from him. Well a week was a long week. She finally called and said that her friend said my level was considered low, and that by numbers I was a 40 year old instead of a 32 year old. My next step was to make an appointment with her friend, Dr. Gustofson or Dr. G. to further evaluate. I made my appointment but it was a month out. I was pretty bummed because it meant another month of not knowing and still waiting. Well I got a call toward the end of the week saying there was a cancellation because someone hadn't filled out their paperwork in time, so I was scheduled a week away.

The day finally came and I met with Dr. G. he told me that because I had already had 4 kids and our youngest was 2, that we didn't need to do an ultrasound to check my uterus or fallopian tubes because everything was working just fine. He wanted Mike to do a semen analysis to make sure everything with him was okay, and then told me he wanted me to recheck my day 3 labs with his lab, and have an ultrasound to check my resting follicle count. We felt very blessed because I was selected to be in an ultrasound study of my follicle count so that we didn't have to pay for the ultrasound and they paid us a $100 dollar check.

My results were back so again I met with Dr. G. My original AMH level was .48 which they want above 1.8. Well, my new AMH level from his lab was 1.8 so that was fine but my estrogen level was high at 75 which they what at 50 or below. My resting follicle count (RFC) was 8, which by some tests are normal, but by their office they want them at 12 or higher. So with those two numbers together I was diagnosed with DOR or diminished ovarian reserve. That all means that I have good quality eggs but I am running out of them so we were basically running against the clock because technically I should have 15-20 more years of eggs but from their tests I only have about 10. I don't know how I feel about that. I don't know if I expect early menopause, if this will be something that affects my kids, or that I feel like I am a freak because I am abnormal. Either way that was their diagnoses. Mike's analysis came back and they said his morphology was a little low at 2%, they wanted it at 4% or higher, and his viscosity was a little high at 2+, and they wanted it at 1+ or lower. All of his stuff was fixable with a few vitamin supplements.

Dr. G gave us the option of continuing to try by ourselves or since we had been trying for over a year to conceive that he could help us with IUI. He gave us a 55-60% chance of pregnancy over the course of 3 months. We discussed it, called our insurance to figure out coverage, and then decided to go for it. If we didn't get pregnant within 3 months then we would take that as a sign from the Lord that we were done. On June 11, 2015 I started 100mg of clomid. I continued that until the 15th. I went in to CCRM (Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Dr. G.'s office) on the 17th to do a follicle count and see how I was responding to the clomid. I had several small follicles and 1 mature follicle that would develop into an egg. They gave me a trigger shot of Ovidrel to take home and administer that night to make me ovulate roughly 36 hours later. I was a little upset because I only produced 1 egg...I mean I already produce 1 on my own so why even take the meds. Anyway, on the 19th at 10:00 am I went in for the IUI and had to wait 2 weeks to find out the results. They were negative, but we weren't upset because neither Mike or I figured it was going to work. I had to wait until the 1st day of my next period to try again. It did, but I was out that cycle because I still had 2 good size cysts left over from the side effects of the clomid.

Finally my first day of my period started in August and I was able to start a cycle again. This time I was on 100mg of clomid days 3-7 (August 1st - 5th) plus 5ml of injectables (Menopur) day 3,5, & 7 of my cycle ( 1st, 3rd, & 5th of August). I went in on August 7th to do a follicle count to see how many mature ones I had, and I responded well. I had 3 on my left ovary 18.6mm, 15mm, and 11.1mm. On my right ovary I had 3 also 15.8mm, 14.9mm, and 9.4mm. I then met with a nurse to see if they were going to continue this cycle or cancel it because I had the possibility of 4 eggs. Anything above 15mm is considered mature since once you do a trigger shot it ripens them another 2mm a day. Anyway, they had me sign a consent form saying the chance of multiples was higher and I was on my way home with a trigger shot and instructions to take and ovulation test to make sure we weren't missing the window and to wait to hear from the doctor on when he wanted to schedule the IUI. If I wasn't ovulating I was told to do 2 more Menopur shots one that night, and on the 8th when I did my trigger shot, which I did. Our IUI was scheduled for August 10th and 9:00am. This time they did an ultrasound to make sure I hadn't already ovulated, I didn't. I was feeling pretty optimistic because every thing seemed to be going our way. I got the Menopur for free, which is usually around $90 dollars a bottle, because they had some office samples that were going to be expiring, I produced 4 good size follicles so our chances were higher etc. Anyway, we still had to wait 2 weeks to test.

 On August 19th at 4:30 pm I figured I would just test to see if it was positive. I had some Amazon test strips, WONDFO, and at first it came back negative, but slowly showed the faintest line. I was excited but didn't want to tell Mike until the morning after I took another one and it was positive and I wasn't imagining things. Well that night I had the thought, that maybe it wasn't a real positive because the trigger shot could still be in my body and giving me a positive, needless to say I was really bummed, but still hopeful. I did some internet searches and found that the trigger should be out of my system by 9DPO but there are some who said it took up to 11DPO. I woke up the next morning and took another test. Same thing, negative at first and then slight positive. I called Cherstin and told her my situation. She asked if the second test was darker than the first because if it was the trigger shot it should be getting lighter, not darker. They were the same, so I took another test a few hours later and it was darker. I was thinking the IUI had worked so I told Mike that night when he got home that I though I was pregnant. I had to wait for it to be officially 2 weeks (August 24th) before I could call CCRM and have blood tests done, so I took pregnancy tests every day until then and by Saturday evening it was dark and I was positive I was pregnant.

Monday August, 24th I had some blood drawn to confirm I was pregnant. My HCG level was 205 (48 hours later my HCG was 520), they wanted it about 50 and my progesterone was at 99.9% and they wanted that above 15. I quickly started looking up levels for multiple pregnancies and I found that I was above the levels for a singleton pregnancy, but a little below the lowest level for twin pregnancies. All I could do was wait until my 6 1/2 week ultrasound to see if there was 1 or 2. That day came on September 10, 2015. They found 2 sacs. One had a heart beat at 115bpm, should be 100bpm or higher, and the other sac had what looked like the start of a fetal pole. Dr. G and the tech searched to make sure there wasn't a heartbeat and said that I would probably lose it, or it wouldn't continue to develop since it was significantly smaller than the other. He did say that my levels were indicative of multiples and he would have been shocked if there wasn't 2. I still had hope that maybe it would develop, but wouldn't know until my next ultrasound at 8 1/2 weeks. Starting on Saturday I had some pink spotting that lasted on and off for about 3 days and then stopped. I was worried, but because I didn't have any cramping or more blood and it wasn't red Dr. G. wasn't worried. They said it was me losing Baby B and that I needed to come in for a Rhogam shot.

Yesterday was my 8 1/2 week ultrasound and Baby B is gone. I was sad, which is weird because I wasn't even expecting there to be 2 and once I found out there was 2 the second never had a heartbeat. Anyway, weird feelings here. The heartbeat was fast at 177bpm and the baby was very wiggily. I graduated from CCRM and will now start seeing Dr. Huynh. We haven't told anyone about seeing Dr. G. except my family, Allyson Ragland (shee sees him too) Ann Brown, and Rachel Halatokoua. I don't think we will tell anyone else, including Marci and Mine, and Mikes side. I just feel weird or ashamed. That's it for now.

Mordecai is 7

Mordecai turned 7 today and to celebrate Ruby and Ivy and I met him at school for lunch. We picked up Subway and cookies and surprised him. We then stayed a bit and surprised Emily. It was so fun. After school we headed over to Dr. Millers for Mordecai's well child and then out to IHOP, his request. After dinner we tried to buy him a new bike but that didn't work because the Target we went to was out, even though their website said they had one. As a family we went to Jump City where we always have fun. Then the regular ritual of ice cream, cake and presents.

Mordecai is pure boy! Sometimes a little too much for me. He loves sports, especially kicking balls, and pestering his sisters. He is also very tender hearted which he hates, but I love. Even though his pregnancy was rough I would do it all over in heart beat to have him because he is my "little man".

Weight: 51 lbs. - 51%
Height: 49 3/4 inches - 79%

Emily & Ruby's Well Child's

Emily

Weight: 61 lbs - 40%
Height:  53 inches - 60%

Ruby

Weight: 31 lbs - 18%
Height: 40 inches - 56%

Mordecai 6 Year Well Child Check

Mordecai is doing well. Still tall and skinny, just like his daddy. His eyes are still better than normal, hearing is goo, and so is everything else.

Weight: 46 lbs - 50%
Height: 47 inches - 75%

He sat on the table the whole time while waiting for Dr. Miller

Emily & Ruby Well Checks

Emily and Ruby had their well child checks today. They were supposed to have them last Friday, but with my stress of preparting for the Women's Conference luncheon an Emily's birthday party I totally spaced them. Anyway, here are there stats

Emily

Weight: 57 lbs - 50%

Height: 51" - 60%

This is unusal for Emily being past the 50% for height because she is usually 45% or lower. Dr. Miller thinks we had hit the growth spurt for height but not quite evened out for the weight part yet.

Ruby

Weight: 28lbs - 25%

Height: 37" - 50%

Ruby has always been on the lighter side for weight and percentile, but has always been tall for her age group...I think her last check she was in the 75%. My girls must have swapped or something. Who knows, maybe this explains why she doesn't eat anything lately...maybe she hasn't hit her growth spurt yet. :)

They are both growing well and are happy and healthy.

Ivy 15 Month Well Child

Ivy had her well check today. She is growing too fast for my liking. She understands almost everything we say or tell her to do. Her words are the concerning part because she doesn't have many. I think she knows Daddy and that is about it. Dr. Miller said he would like her to have at least 5 words by the time we see him for her 18 month well check. Here is hoping.

Weight: 18lbs - 15%

Length: 29" - 25%


She measured the same in height at her 1 year check, but Dr. Miller didn't seem to be concerned about that.

1 Year Well Check

Ivy had her 12 month check up today. She was a pro, especially since she had to get 4 shots. Poor girl. She is adjusted for her age for the most part. Dr. Miller said we could adjust up to 2 years out, but as far as he can see she is right on par for her age.

Weight: 17 lbs. 4 oz. (this is with a diaper on, so it's more like 17 lbs. only) - 20%
Length: 29 inches - 50%
Head: 17 1/2" - 45%

Ivy's 9 Month Well Child Check

Ivy's 9 month well child check was this morning.  Dr. Miller is continually impressed that she isn't too far behind on her growth and development. He asked about crawling/scooting and I told him not yet but I think she might crawl because she gets up on her hands unlike the older 3 did. He said its possible, but also possible she will scoot since the other 3 did. So we will have to just wait and see. He also commented on her weight saying this will probably be as high in the percentile she will ever be because once they start moving they "slim down".

Weight: 15 lbs 6 oz - 10%
Length: 27 1/2" - 50%
Head: 17" - 25%

Ivy 6 Month Well Baby

Today was a crazy day. I made Ivy's well check thinking I would only have the 3 youngers with me, but it turned out that Emily had early release today and so I had all 4. On top of that Ruby has been a bit crazy lately so it was a real fun time at the doctors.

Our little one has made big leaps in the last 2 months...mostly in length, and she is as fun as ever.

Weight: 13 lbs - 5%
Length: 25 3/4" - 50%
Head: 16" - 10%

Mordecai's 5 Year Well Child

Mordecai had his appointment with Dr. Miller today. He did awesome! He had to get 3 shots to get him ready for kindergarten in the fall and he was a bit nervous but took them like a pro. He had to have his hearing tested twice. Once with the beep machine, and then another one with a pressure machine which showed he had some swelling. Dr. Miller thinks he has a cold or is getting over one because when he looked inside he could see some moisture and redness. So we have to take him back in to have his hearing tested when I take Ivy in for her 6-month well check..

Height: 44" - 75%
Weight: 40 lbs - 50%

Ivy's 4 Month Well Check

Ivy had her 4 month well check and is growing steady. She still isn't on the chart for weight, but is still following her pattern which is still pretty good. We are going to wait to start solids since she doesn't seem to have any interest. And, as far as sleep goes we are still not sleeping through the night even though technically we could because she weighs enough. The RSV is mostly over, but she has another cold and Dr. Miller said the cough will and could last for up to 3 weeks. He could still hear wheezing so we will have to keep an eye on her for the next couple of years to see if she has Asthma from this.

Weight: 10 lbs 2 oz. - < 3%   (She really only weighs 10 lbs, but the nurse let us keep a really full diaper on to boost her weight)

Length: 23 1/4" - 10%
Head: 15 1/4" - 10%

Emily & Ruby Well Childs

The older girls had their well checks today, and as usual were stellar! We discussed Emily's need to still wear pull ups and have decided that it runs in the family and to just wait and see, and I'm so grateful that Dr. Miller is so laid back.

Emily

Weight: 49 1/2 lbs - 50%
Length: 48 1/4" - 70%
BMI: 15 - 40%

Ruby

Weight: 25lbs 2 oz. - 30%
Length: 34 1/2" - 73%

Ivy's 2-Month Well Baby

Ivy totally rocked her 2-month well baby today.  About a week after her 1-month check she started acting fussy again so we added zantac on top of her prevacid. It really seems to help her. Dr. Miller would like to wean her off of the prevacid since he said that the FDA hasn't really approved it for children under 1 year of age. He said to wait a couple of days to do that though so we will know if she is fussy because of taking her off it and it not being from her shots today. Speaking of her shots she was supposed to get 3 today but only got 2 because they were out of one, and the oral vaccine so we head back in a month for a weight check and the other 2 vaccines. He wants to do a weight check to make sure it wasn't a fluke in her weight gain department. She is finally on the curve for her length, but not for her weight. 

Weight: 7 lbs - < 2%
Length: - 21" - 5%
Head: 14 1/4" - 5%

Ivy's 1-Month Well Baby

Today was Ivy's 1 month well baby. She did pretty well considering she got 4 shots. Dr. Miller was a little concerned since she didn't gain as much weight as he thought she should. I then fessed up that I think she has acid reflux and that I gave her some of Ruby's left over prevacid. He gave us a prescription and we hope this will continue to help her.

Weight: 5lbs 11oz. - < 2%
Length: 19 1/4" - < 2%
Head: 13 1/2" - 5%

Ivy's 2 Week Check

Ivy had her 2 week check up today.  When we came home from the hopsital she was discharged at 4lbs even. We had a weight check two days later on Saturday the 27th and she was still only 4lbs even. Dr. Miller thinks she dropped to 3lbs something and when my milk finally came in (Friday) that she picked back up.  Tuesday (10/30/12) she had another weight check and she weighed 4lbs 6oz. Today's stats are..

Weight: 4lbs 12oz.- < 3%
Length: 18 1/4" - < 3%
Head: 13"- 5%

Everything else looked great, and I can just let her feed when she wants which is nice because feeding this little one so often is exhausting.

Ivy's Birth Story

Last night I went out to get some frozen yogurt with Marci and Mine for my last independent outing sans kids for a while.  As we were sitting and just visiting I started to get a little anxious/nervous for what was going to happen and change today.  After I got back I packed some toiletries and clothes and then took a Tylenol PM to help me sleep, which did nothing at all.

This morning came way too quick not to mention early.  I got up at 4:45 a.m., probably from the nerves. I was supposed to be at the hospital by 6:30 a.m., so I got up, showered, ate breakfast, packed Emily's lunch, packed the rest of my stuff and headed off to the hospital. The plan was for Mike to stay and help Mom with getting the kids ready for the day and get Emily off to school and then meet me at the hospital.

I checked in on time. It felt really surreal thinking that by the end of the day I was going to have another little girl. I got my I.V. started, hooked up to the monitors and my first bag of antibiotics when Dr. Huynh showed up at 7:30 a.m. I was having small braxton hicks contractions showing up on the monitor when she got there.  She checked my cervix, which was at 2cm but still 50 % effaced.  She then explained what the cervadil gel was going to do and the process of putting it in. She felt the gel would surely work since I was already dilated and effaced and because this was my fourth child. The gel was placed at 8:04 a.m.  Her inserting the gel was not the most comfortable feeling.

I was to stay in bed for as close to an hour and then I was free to get up and walk around. At the hour mark I couldn't stand it any longer and I got up and went to the bathroom.  Claudia, my nurse, had made a comment that another nurse who had the gel said it feels like like a burning sensation or like fire crackers going off inside your vagina. I think that was an accurate explanation.  Mike finally got there around 9:00 a.m. after dropping off Emily, a gas stop, and a potty stop for Mordecai.  By the time he got there I was already having tightening contractions but nothing painful. I was cautioned to go by what I was feeling as opposed to the monitors because my belly was so small the monitor might not pick up what they actually were at.  We went to walk the halls, which felt eerily familiar to Ruby's labor day.  By our 3rd time around I was having so much pressure in my bottom area that I decided I didn't want to walk around anymore.  Claudia brought in the the birthing ball and that was the best position to sit. She checked the baby and me and I was still only a 2.  I opted for a walking epidural and that was oh-so-nice. Around 11:30 a.m. I got my second dose of antibiotics and then opted for a regular epidural since the pressure was getting pretty strong. Once the epidural was in I went from 2cm to 4cm and  I also went from 50% effaced to 90% effaced within an hour.  Dr. Huynh showed up around 12:30/12:45 p.m. like she said she would and broke my water. While she was breaking my water she told me I was a 4 and then emptied more water out and then said, "And now you are at a 5." Mike and Claudia had a small bet as to when she would be born. Mike said 2:00 p.m. and Claudia said before 1:30 p.m. I wasn't so sure.  I was so numb that I thought it would be a while before I felt anything, but Dr. Huynh was telling me that if I felt any pressure or pain to have Claudia check me because she thought it would be very soon.  Around 1:15 p.m. I started to feel a little more pain again and by this time Claudia was in my room checking the monitor.  While she was doing that she got a call from Dr. Huynh who was also watching the monitor from her office. She asked Claudia to check me and when she did she got back on the phone and said, "Yeah, you should come on down there is a head there." I immediately felt overwhelmed.  I still couldn't hardly feel anything and I was thinking, "I can't be ready, I can't feel anything, how am I going to know how to push???"  Before I knew it Dr. Huynh was there and the NICU nurses and it was time to push. Dr. Huynh said that when she said to stop pushing I needed to because she felt like she was going to come fast and if she came too quickly she could tear me or have breathing distress.  I did half a push and was told to stop so she could get the shoulder out, then pushed the rest of the way and she was out.  I couldn't believe it!!! One push! She was so easy. She was born at 1:27 p.m. (Claudia won) and weighed 4lbs. 3oz. and was 17 1/2 inches long.  I really did think she was going to be bigger, but I was wrong, clearly. When Mike went to cut her cord he made a comment about how her cord and placenta didn't look 'right' or 'normal' persay. Dr. Huynh agreed and said that that is the reason she was probably having problems growing. We wont know anything for sure until probably my 6 week post-partum check because we have to wait on the pathology report.

Her APGAR scores were 8's and 9's, and everything about her is perfect. We are lucky that her lungs and heart are fine.  We don't get to go home until Thursday which is a day longer than I am used to because they need to make sure her blood sugars are okay and that she can keep warm on her own. We are supplementing with a syringe of formula until my milk comes in to make sure she doesn't lose too much weight so she can come home. We all just love her so much and are really glad she is healthy.

 

 

Last Appointment!!!!

I had my doppler today in the imaging department of Avista because the ultrasound tech wasn't in the OB's office today. They did a whole growth scan instead of just doppler so it was fun.  She is still measuring 2-3 weeks behind....depending on what measurement you use.  Her head, belly, and leg measurements put her in week 33, but her arm measurement put her in 34 weeks. I don't know which measurement you use. HA HA. Anyway, she grew about a half a pound a week like she is supposed to.  They estimated her weight at 4 lbs. 13 oz., but that is of course give or take a pound. I also found out that the little squirt is now face up.  Little stink!!!

After the doppler I headed over to the Lafayette office to have my NST done and then met with Dr. Huynh. My NST was good, and we are waiting on the news from the imaging department on the dopplers.  If those have gone up enough we always have a chance of being induced today, but I feel like they are fine. My fundal measurement was barely 34cm and I am supposed to be almost 37 because I am 36 weeks and 5 days today, but at least it grew from last Friday.  I also had my cervix checked and I am 1 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  Mike and I weren't expecting that at all because I was nothing when Ruby was face up.  Hopefully she turns since there is plenty of room for her to do so.

We are set to be at the hospital Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. I tested positive for group B strep so I have to have my first round of antibiotics before I get the gel to start labor, and because of that I think labor will be longer because I have to have a second dose 4 hours later so Dr. Huynh wont break my water until that's all done.

This is getting really real, really quickly. Mike and I plan on just vegging this weekend and preparing the house for chaos. Wish us luck :)

35 weeks and 4 days

I had my bi-weekly NST's this week on Tuesday and Today. I also had my doppler and weekly appointment with Dr. Huynh today too.  The NST's went awesome, unlike a week ago.  The doppler not so much.  Dr. Huynh came in during my appointment and said that the doppler numbers went up , which they aren't supposed to do and she wasn't expecting that either, and that if it weren't for having such a good NST this morning we would be having the baby today.  She did say that she was still going to discuss this with her specialist/friend and I may get a call to come back in to induce, but I haven't heard anything and it is past closing time so I am guessing I am good. My fundal measurement went up to 32 1/2, but is still measuring behind. I am supposed to make sure she moves every hour this weekend, and then go in for my NST on Tuesday. The baby is scheduled to make her debut the 23rd sometime. I have an induction time set for 6:30 a.m. that morning and only 2 more appointments before she is here.  I think I am in denial that this is happening so quickly and that she is going to be small, so hopefully that means she wont be. :/ Here's hoping...right.