I got the call from my OB....
Progesterone: 11 (up from 7.9)
hCG: 65,000!!!!!! HOLY CRAP (Up from 1,300).
I'm too shocked, elated, excited, overjoyed, euphoric, surprised, floored to even comment on this right now.
We're 7 weeks 3 days (maybe less, based on those numbers climbing, we could have been earlier than I thought, but that's a sad thought, so let's hope for 7.3!) This Friday will be 8 weeks.
Appointment on Wednesday at 10:15 AM, where I'm praying she'll do an US for us, and see if there are any hematomas in there.
Squeek!
-Emily
Monday, January 11, 2016
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Three Options
So this is the last post you're going to hear from me until Monday, because I am having an additional blood draw Friday, and won't get results until Monday. Unless something happens between now and then, we are currently in a holding pattern.
After spending the night thinking through options, here are the three things that might happen:
That is quite the wide range of possibilities, but I think it covers everything. In all honesty, I am hoping that it's option 2 or 3, another week of bleeding sounds horrible to me after July, and I'd like my OB to check out my uterus to make sure it is shaped correctly and does not have any problems with it.
So yea, we'll just have to wait and see what is happening. At this point, I really have no idea. But I do know that the appointment at the fertility clinic is booked. I have no idea why they are not putting me on suppositories for progesterone (many times more effective than oral). I also wish we could get an ultrasound done before we go another week. But, I bought a fetal doppler (it was on super sale, don't judge me!) to try to see if we can hear anything (I know it's early and I'm fat so it's very unlikely we'd find the heartbeat, but I loved having the doppler before when I rented one, so I'd like to have one going forward.)
My husband and I also discussed our long term options last night. And we decided that if this keeps happening, and my body can't sustain a pregnancy, there will be a time when we tap out and say 'no more'. And we'll pursue other options for our lives. It's a sad conversation to have, but we both have big dreams and goals, and while we want children, we also know that we aren't going to go to extremes and keep putting ourselves through this pain.
-Emily
After spending the night thinking through options, here are the three things that might happen:
1. We are on the other side of a miscarriage, levels will go down, and I will miscarry naturally before our appointment on Wednesday.
2. We are on the other side of a miscarriage, levels will go down, but the progesterone is keeping me from miscarrying naturally, so we will need to do a D&C next week before we leave for Ireland.
3. Everything is fine.
That is quite the wide range of possibilities, but I think it covers everything. In all honesty, I am hoping that it's option 2 or 3, another week of bleeding sounds horrible to me after July, and I'd like my OB to check out my uterus to make sure it is shaped correctly and does not have any problems with it.
So yea, we'll just have to wait and see what is happening. At this point, I really have no idea. But I do know that the appointment at the fertility clinic is booked. I have no idea why they are not putting me on suppositories for progesterone (many times more effective than oral). I also wish we could get an ultrasound done before we go another week. But, I bought a fetal doppler (it was on super sale, don't judge me!) to try to see if we can hear anything (I know it's early and I'm fat so it's very unlikely we'd find the heartbeat, but I loved having the doppler before when I rented one, so I'd like to have one going forward.)
My husband and I also discussed our long term options last night. And we decided that if this keeps happening, and my body can't sustain a pregnancy, there will be a time when we tap out and say 'no more'. And we'll pursue other options for our lives. It's a sad conversation to have, but we both have big dreams and goals, and while we want children, we also know that we aren't going to go to extremes and keep putting ourselves through this pain.
-Emily
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
The hcg saga continues
Just got the call from the OB. My hCG levels are 1,309.
According to my trusty chart, for week six we should be 1,100-56,000.
Last time I was EXTREMELY low and she told me that I was just ... low. But I was never told how low, so I don't have much to compare this to.
In my heart of hearts, I feel like the fetus stopped growing and these are back end numbers of coming down from the high. If so, I will either start bleeding this weekend, or have to have a D&C next week.
The other alternative is that everything is fine, the progesterone lifts the hCG levels, and, like last time, I am just on the low end of things. If everything is the same as last time minus the hematoma, then I am going to be thrilled. But here is why I don't think that's what is happening -- last time the 200 mg of progesterone lifted my progesterone levels to normal. This time, even with the progesterone, I am still low. I think my body is trying to miscarry, but the supplements might be not letting it.
Not going to the doctor until next week is sooo frustrating. I just want to know now. I wish that I was somewhere with multiple doctors so ONE of them could see me.
Appointment booked for the fertility clinic for next time. Because this is now confirmed a hormonal issue, and not a freaking "FLUKE".
-Frustrated
According to my trusty chart, for week six we should be 1,100-56,000.
Last time I was EXTREMELY low and she told me that I was just ... low. But I was never told how low, so I don't have much to compare this to.
In my heart of hearts, I feel like the fetus stopped growing and these are back end numbers of coming down from the high. If so, I will either start bleeding this weekend, or have to have a D&C next week.
The other alternative is that everything is fine, the progesterone lifts the hCG levels, and, like last time, I am just on the low end of things. If everything is the same as last time minus the hematoma, then I am going to be thrilled. But here is why I don't think that's what is happening -- last time the 200 mg of progesterone lifted my progesterone levels to normal. This time, even with the progesterone, I am still low. I think my body is trying to miscarry, but the supplements might be not letting it.
Not going to the doctor until next week is sooo frustrating. I just want to know now. I wish that I was somewhere with multiple doctors so ONE of them could see me.
Appointment booked for the fertility clinic for next time. Because this is now confirmed a hormonal issue, and not a freaking "FLUKE".
-Frustrated
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Low Progesterone (again)
Just got results back from the doctor. My progesterone is dangerously low at 7.9. The lab did not send hcg levels, so we do not know where those are. The low progesterone could be from a miscarriage that is in progress, or a looming miscarriage could be caused by the low progesterone.
I have been taking 200 mg progesterone supplements orally, but she asked me to double the amount, and ordered me more.
I guess tomorrow we will find out where my hcg levels are. If they are low, I am going to assume we are losing this pregnancy. If they are on track, then I will pray we caught this just in time.
Spotting update - brown spotting when I wiped this AM, but nothing since. Going to rush home and take my progesterone.
Send prayers this way, please.
-Emily
(Right now, I am not even going to think about an ectopic.... but that is always something we have to consider, and I am praying we get to go in sooner than next Tuesday to do an US)
I have been taking 200 mg progesterone supplements orally, but she asked me to double the amount, and ordered me more.
I guess tomorrow we will find out where my hcg levels are. If they are low, I am going to assume we are losing this pregnancy. If they are on track, then I will pray we caught this just in time.
Spotting update - brown spotting when I wiped this AM, but nothing since. Going to rush home and take my progesterone.
Send prayers this way, please.
-Emily
(Right now, I am not even going to think about an ectopic.... but that is always something we have to consider, and I am praying we get to go in sooner than next Tuesday to do an US)
Monday, January 4, 2016
Research
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0111676
"In general, the earlier gestational age a hematoma was diagnosed, the worse outcome the pregnancies tended to have. One reason for this may be, in the middle and late pregnancy, the gradually diminishing cervical barrier resulting in fast outflow and reduced intrauterine retention of blood when uterine hemorrhage occurs [37]."
http://www.ajronline.org/doi/pdf/10.2214/ajr.149.4.737
The first decent explanation of a hematoma:
"In general, the earlier gestational age a hematoma was diagnosed, the worse outcome the pregnancies tended to have. One reason for this may be, in the middle and late pregnancy, the gradually diminishing cervical barrier resulting in fast outflow and reduced intrauterine retention of blood when uterine hemorrhage occurs [37]."
http://www.ajronline.org/doi/pdf/10.2214/ajr.149.4.737
The first decent explanation of a hematoma:
The subchorionic hematoma probably results from marginal
placental abruption during the first half of pregnancy. For
unknown reasons, blood, instead of collecting behind the
placenta as happens in the third trimester, works its way
behind the chorionic membrane and subsequently leaks into
the cervical canal. This causes its elevation from the uterine
wall. The subchorionic hematoma tends to compress the
gestational sac, and in two of our cases this led to premature
rupture of the membranes and subsequent abortion.
http://www.theovalplanet.com/post.cfm/poor-outcomes-in-patients-with-low-papp-a-during-testing-for-down-syndrome
Awesome, something I want to investigate more - PAPP-A levels and miscarriage
From Wikiepedia:
This gene encodes a secreted metalloproteinase which cleaves insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). It is thought to be involved in local proliferative processes such as wound healing and bone remodeling. Low plasma level of this protein has been suggested as a biochemical marker for pregnancies with aneuploid fetuses (fetuses with an abnormal number of chromosomes).[2] For example, low PAPPA may be seen in prenatal screening for Down syndrome.[1] Low levels may alternatively predict issues with the placenta, resulting in adverse complications such as intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, placental abruption, premature birth, or fetal death.
http://www.jultrasoundmed.org/content/suppl/2015/06/12/8.6.289.DC1/08.06.289.pdf
http://www.pubfacts.com/search/subchorionic+hematoma
quick update - what i'm feeling
This is just for me for future reference -
Yesterday:
Feeling "sick", nauseous, tired, sore, coughing, light headed, wanting to lay down
Today:
Feeling better, but still not right
Naueseous until 2 PM
Extremely tired
no more coughing
Sometimes I get weird pushes/pulls on my uterus/hips
I wanted to compare this to my mc, but it's not quite the same. It almost feels like when your stomach rolls when you are about to puke, but it's my uterus, not my stomach.
Going to call the doctor and see if they want me in any sooner. Since my doctor is OOO until the 11th, I'm not sure who they'd send me to...
-Emily
Yesterday:
Feeling "sick", nauseous, tired, sore, coughing, light headed, wanting to lay down
Today:
Feeling better, but still not right
Naueseous until 2 PM
Extremely tired
no more coughing
Sometimes I get weird pushes/pulls on my uterus/hips
I wanted to compare this to my mc, but it's not quite the same. It almost feels like when your stomach rolls when you are about to puke, but it's my uterus, not my stomach.
Going to call the doctor and see if they want me in any sooner. Since my doctor is OOO until the 11th, I'm not sure who they'd send me to...
-Emily
Bad News Bears
Blood. It's back. I can't seem to separate a pregnancy from bleeding.
I know I mentioned that about 2 weeks ago I had pink spotting and assumed it was implantation bleeding. Well, yesterday I had more pink spotting which eventually turned red. I also felt sick all day and was laying on the couch for literally 12 hours. I barely slept, my body is shaking, and I am terrified I am miscarrying. I also feel lightheaded, but I am fairly confident that is because I am worrying myself sick, not actual lightheadedness.
So far this morning I have not had more bleeding, but I feel like I am, and I feel crampy, and again, the shakiness. I am debating taking a half day and going home, but I don't want to use up my limited days because we're going to Ireland in two weeks, AND I might need a day to go do surgery if I end up miscarrying and need a D&C.
All things considered, I am surprised I have maintained this pregnancy this long. Between moving, holiday stress and parties, I way overexerted myself. And my poor husband who has been carrying us is at the end of his rope. I know he's about to break. Soo if we lost this pregnancy, there would be some good things that come out of it -- Ireland would be a healing time where we can both enjoy the trip without worry, I can help us make the final move out of the apartment, and we'll be guaranteed to get referred to a specialist OB who might be able to do some real tests and figure out what is wrong with my uterus.
But all that being said, I just feel very defeated. Everything was going so great, everything was so smooth, there was no bleeding, and now when we hit the same time I started bleeding last time here it comes.
I have been on a strict baby aspirin and progesterone regime this entire time, and still... We also had sex two nights ago, and I know sometimes that causes spotting, but this doesn't feel like spotting, this feels like last time.
I will keep this blog updated with progress. Going to the blood place today to get blood drawn to check levels.
-Emily
I know I mentioned that about 2 weeks ago I had pink spotting and assumed it was implantation bleeding. Well, yesterday I had more pink spotting which eventually turned red. I also felt sick all day and was laying on the couch for literally 12 hours. I barely slept, my body is shaking, and I am terrified I am miscarrying. I also feel lightheaded, but I am fairly confident that is because I am worrying myself sick, not actual lightheadedness.
So far this morning I have not had more bleeding, but I feel like I am, and I feel crampy, and again, the shakiness. I am debating taking a half day and going home, but I don't want to use up my limited days because we're going to Ireland in two weeks, AND I might need a day to go do surgery if I end up miscarrying and need a D&C.
All things considered, I am surprised I have maintained this pregnancy this long. Between moving, holiday stress and parties, I way overexerted myself. And my poor husband who has been carrying us is at the end of his rope. I know he's about to break. Soo if we lost this pregnancy, there would be some good things that come out of it -- Ireland would be a healing time where we can both enjoy the trip without worry, I can help us make the final move out of the apartment, and we'll be guaranteed to get referred to a specialist OB who might be able to do some real tests and figure out what is wrong with my uterus.
But all that being said, I just feel very defeated. Everything was going so great, everything was so smooth, there was no bleeding, and now when we hit the same time I started bleeding last time here it comes.
I have been on a strict baby aspirin and progesterone regime this entire time, and still... We also had sex two nights ago, and I know sometimes that causes spotting, but this doesn't feel like spotting, this feels like last time.
I will keep this blog updated with progress. Going to the blood place today to get blood drawn to check levels.
-Emily
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