6.10.2011

Part 3. The Pregnancy

After I got the first positive pregnancy test, I took 2 more in the next 48 hours!! I just needed verification that it was really going to show up again!

Our families knew we were doing the official blood test on Monday, but they had no idea I was going to try to find out ahead of time by using a home pregnancy test! So after the second test, we couldn't wait another minute to tell them! Matt's mom called us on Sunday afternoon. Matt immediately put her on speaker phone and told her the good news! She screamed so loud and was very excited!!

My mom was taking a nap, but I called anyway and woke her up. I told her I took 2 tests and both were positive! Her response was "OH MY"! I bet she said Oh My 15 times!! haha! My dad was on the golf course, so we called him on 3-way and told him the news! He was really excited too! We tried to make them stay calm until we got both blood tests back, just to make sure everything was going the way it was supposed to.

Monday, March 28th: I went in for my first Beta (blood test). I think anything over 15-20 is considered pregnant so I was definitely shocked when they called and told me that mine was 267! I remember wondering if the two embryos had actually both taken! I felt such relief knowing the numbers were so high, that I just burst into tears!

They want the numbers to double every 48 hours, so on Wednesday morning, I had my 2nd Beta test. It was 529, so when it had only doubled I was pretty sure it was just one baby! (Normally when it's multiples, the numbers triple or more!) Despite the results, the rest of my family held out and continued thinking it was going to be two babies!

Matt and I went for the first ultrasound on April 13th. We were so excited and nervous at the same time. As soon as the screen popped up, we saw our ONE miracle baby! I couldn't take my eyes off the screen! Matt really thought there were two, so he spent most of the appointment making sure the tech didn't miss the other one!
I went back 2 weeks later at 8.5 weeks for the medical history appointment and I took a quick peek then too! I was so happy to see that flickering heartbeat again! Heart rate was 154bpm!

The side effects of the first trimester started the first day I took a test! I was instantly hungry, tired, nauseous and had heartburn! Basically every day is the same-- wake up starving and my stomach is bloated, eat 2 pieces of toast, feel like I am dying of heartburn, go to work, need to eat again and try to make it through the day. But most days I have to lay down on the futon at work and take a nap. Then I would come home and crash! I would eat and lay in bed all night. Before bed, I drank Maalox, made sure I had snacks beside my bed and laid on 2 pillows to prop me up. A few nights, I used a neck travel-pillow to help get comfortable, since it hurt to lay on my side! It wasn't the most comfortable sleep, but at least I slept. Sometime in the night, I had to get up and pee and eat a snack! Then get up and do it all over again!

I was nauseous all day but only threw up one night after I ate mexican food! I was so thankful to not throw up everyday like I had prepared myself to do!

The progesterone shots continued nightly until I was 10 weeks. I think that was the main cause for a lot of the exhaustion. But the extreme fatigue set-in around 9 weeks and lasted until the day I turned 12 weeks! I seriously have never felt that kind of fatigue. Poor Matt barely saw me because when he got home from work, I was normally passed out!

I am pretty proud of myself for all the shots that I had to do. I had at least 1 shot a day from February 18th to May 6th! I've always heard that when you want something bad enough, you will do anything... and that is so true for me with the shots!!

I didn't get to share this in my Easter post, but when my parents came up that weekend, my mom brought a lot of goodies for "Baby T"!!! In fact, our sweet child already has a few gifts thanks to my family, Matt's mom and several friends. I'm afraid this baby is going to be spoiled!
I also took my first "belly" shot that weekend! ha! I was only 8 weeks so there really wasn't much but bloating! :)

By 12 weeks, most of the nausea was gone and I really started feeling better. At 12.5 weeks, on May 25th, we got to see the baby again! It's heart rate was 149 bpm this time!
I can't look at this picture enough! I am absolutely in love with that sweet face and that little hand!!
This one is funny because it's looking right at us!


By 13-14 weeks, I really felt like myself -- other than the growing belly!! I honestly wanted and meant to take a picture each week after 8 weeks, but that just didn't happen! I guess I was just so tired...but I'm not going to miss a week from now on! So this is my official 14 week picture!!
I will start my weekly post/picture with 15 weeks next week!! Yay!!

33 comments:

Lauren said...

Everything about this post makes me so incredibly happy!!!! :)

Larissa said...

Congratulation!!!! I'm super happy for you and Matt!!!

Jill said...

I've loved reading your story. We did 3 rounds of IVF and on the 3rd one, I was nauseous by the 3rd day after having the embryos put back in - and that's the one that worked! Crazy that you can feel sick almost instantly. :)

Baby T is one blessed baby already. I'm guessing boy - just for the record. :)

Looking forward to following your pregnancy updates!

Heather Allen said...

YAY!!!! So very excited for you!!

Megan said...

So happy for you! And you look GREAT!

French Lover said...

Pregnancy suits you well ! You are gorgeous ! I'm so so happy for you guys :)

Bisous !

Jennifer said...

Baby Turner is looking so cute!

And I'm still trying not to be bitter over your one time of sickness. :)

Dianna said...

Love the bump! Congrats again!!

Anonymous said...

So cute! I love ultrasounds. I have one on the 23rd it will be my 32 week one and then I have my 3/4d one the following week. Can't wait to see you grow and the nursery design and if it's a boy or girl!

Sarah-Anne said...

congrats again, julie!! i am so happy for you & Matt and can't wait to see week 15's preggo update, haha!

Love with a Latte said...

You look absolutely adorable! I can't wait to follow you on this incredible journey!

KatieB. said...

So happy for you!! And I'm guessing boy :)

Megan said...

I think i tear up overtime I read your pregnancy updates!! Can't wait for you to start the weekly ones!

Kimberley said...

how exciting! can't wait to follow the journey! :)

Brittany said...

You look fabulous!! I can't wait to see your updates! I'm so thrilled for you :)

Melissa Orsak said...

Wonderful news! Can't wait to "blog" through this pregnancy with you!

Faith said...

I'm loving those latest ultrasound pics - soooo precious!! You are looking great with that tiny bump!

Emily Richardson said...

YEAH for that bump!!!! LOVE IT!!! Annabel has missed Baby T so much and can't wait to see him/her soon!

Kara Oosterhous said...

I think that belly says "girl".... but what do I know! LOL! Just want a healthy baby and a happy mama! Love you!

waiting said...

Congratulations! So happy for you! I had to take Prevacid daily for my horrible heartburn! Hope you find some relief for yours. Mine disapeared the day my baby was born!

Emily said...

So happy for y'all, Julee! You are going to have one gorgeous baby! :)

Twinkletoes said...

I am so unbelievably happy for you. I have read your blog for a while (from Kelly's blog) and have been wishing and wishing for this day to happen. You have been such a good friend through all of this with your seemingly endless smiles at all of your friend's baby showers. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

SO excited to follow your journey! Congratulations!

secarden said...

praise God so sincerely happy for your family God is so good

The Titsworth Family said...

Congratulations! I've been following your story and wanted to let you know how excited & happy I am for you.

~ Cindy said...

Thanks for sharing your story Julee, you two are so strong and are going to be such great parents! So happy for yall!

Ashley Fisher :) said...

What an amazing story! I have loved reading it all! You are already such a wonderful momma! CONGRATS again!

jacci2715 said...

I have quietly followed your blog for some time (I found the link from Kelly's Corner), and I usually don't post comments on any blogs that I read, but I felt compelled to this time. I can't tell how wonderful it was to read your pregnancy announcement! I live all the way in Ohio, but something about your story touched me so much that I often found myself wondering what was going on in your journey. I couldn't be happier for you, Matt and your families. God is good! Best wishes for a happy, healthy family!

Randee said...

Congratulations Mr. Matt & Mrs. Julee! "Welcome to the womb, Baby Turner" LOL Your Mommy & Daddy all of your Family & Friends can't wait to meet you in 6 months. Love you

Nancy said...

You look great! You are going to be the most stylish pregnant Mommy!

Kristin said...

I found your blog via Kelly's Korner and am going through infertility. I also have PCOS and will be doing IVF this fall. Your story gives me encouragement and lots of hope!

Congratulations and hope your pregnancy is wonderful!

Theisen Trio said...

Love those U/S pictures! I am so glad you are feeling better and pregnancy does suit you to a "T" : ) Congrats again and thanks for sharing your journey!

Real love stories have no endings said...

Congratulations on the girl! I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story as it hits home for my husband and I right now.