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Donovansmommy -

What an exciting day!! We are very anxious to hear about your u/s on Monday so please give us an update when you can Monday!!

Ginamarie -

Yes, my little miracle will be one on Friday!! We are so excited!! Actually, we'd like to have a GIGANTIC party, but it's almost a sacred day for us, kind of on par with his Dedication Ceremony, so we've decided just family and friends and a little party surrounded by people who prayed for his entrance into this world. We've got a Curious George cake for us, then a little cake shaped like a banana for him with TONS of frosting - and a shower curtain to go under the high chair! HAHA!! We've asked for no gifts since he's just one...he really won't get it. We asked for people to donate to a walk I did today for Cincinnati Children's Hospital rather than buy him a gift...there are some families who have a miracle baby and that baby may not be as well as our sweet miracle...so spend the money where it could be better used. I'm hoping to have good party pix to post next weekend!! Though, it could be a while, I'm still sifting through Halloween!! Thanks for asking, you're so sweet. I still cry when I think about the fact that he will be ONE...and I really do get to keep him!!! I hope I can share in the celebration of your little miracle's first birthday soon!!! How are you feeling??


HeatherMak

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Well we just hit a bit of a milestone for us. The first trimester is over and things are going very well. Just one question though that has been going on in my head lately. My wife gets what she calls fluters now and then in her belly that we've been told was just the baby shifting around a little bit which is great! However she goes sometimes a couple of days to a week and does not feel anything at all and gets nervous. Anyone else experience the same?

Oh... also before i forget every once in a while during the injections we get a few drops of blood when I pull out the needle, but not always. Am I messing something up?

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Gidd,

I felt what I thought was an upset stomach...turns out it was the baby!! HAHA!! I felt him kick at 19 weeks...then NOTHING for what felt like FOREVER. So, you're fine this early on. Once he started moving full-bore, he wouldn't move all the time, and then toward the end, he moved less because he ran out of room. So, you really should be fine...especially this early. Like I said, I never felt anything until 19 weeks...then it was eons before I felt him again.

The blood when you pull the needle out is no big whoop. Again, blood thinner through a whole mess of capilliaries can sometimes result in bleeding from the injection site. I woke up one morning after using a site area too much and found I had been bleeding all night from one teeny, tiny, little injection site. Naturally, I totally FREAKED out...but I called the doc, went in for a little looky-loo and they were able to see the injection site still flowing. Not much, but enough to FREAK me out!! Totally natural to have a little blood now and again. But, also totally natural to freak out when you see it!!

I'm SO glad all is well and I send you my most heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS!! You rock, Gidd!!!

Give your wife our best and KEEP US POSTED!!!


HeatherMak

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Hello, I was wanting to ask you about the Nattokinase. I also have a blood clotting disorder and lost a baby at 17 weeks. I am currently 5 weeks 2 days. I am scared to death of the injections too. I read about the Nattokinase and bought some. The doctor spotted a blot clot last Friday 11/3 and I took the Natokinase over the weekend and they looked at the blood clot again today and it went down significantly over the weekend. I am just so leary of the injections, and I believe in Natural cures. I will do whatever is best for the baby though, and I was wondering if your natural doctor said the Nattokinase was safe for pregnancy.

Thanks,
Annie
[quote author=stefanie link=board=13;threadid=1981;start=30#18636 date=1147296260]
I am 32 years old and this is my th pregnancy. I am 8 weeks and taking Lovenox. I have Factor V and have had 1 child stillborn and 3 miscarriages. I do have one daughter who is 4. I am very worried about taking the injections. I have met with a Dr. who specializes in Natural medicines, he is a real board certified Dr. he just uses both natural and RX meds. What he has recommended is called NATTOKINASE PLUS, have any of you heard of this? I also have low progesteron and have to take supositories to boost that. I would love and feed back. God bless you and your babies.
[/quote]

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It's me again!! I had my appt. today and found out the sex of the baby....It's a BOY! (Hooray!!) The Dr. also said he can't believe I ever had any problems considering how great everything looks. The baby is growing great, heartbeat is wonderful and all boy.

The power of prayer is awsome! God centainly is blessing us greatly. I have a wonderful husband and 10 year old son and another on the way. Life is great!!! God is great!!

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It's been awhile since I have posted but Just to let you know on Wednesday I'll be 16 weeks. I'm so glad to have made it this far and just pray that I will make it all the way. At my last doctor's appointment my blood pressure was high but I've been monitoring it at home and it's been okay. I also went back for a nurse check and my blood pressure was okay, so I'm really praying that it was just a fluke during my last appointment.

I did have a question for you all. Last night I gave my lovenox shot at 7:00pm and it bled all night. I would get the bleeding to stop and then once I started moving again it would start bleeding again. I tried using ice and it only helped for a little while. I went through multiple bandaids. I've had bleeders before but never like that. Todays shots didn't bleed at all. Does anyone have advice on how to make the bleeding stop next time this happens to me?

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Annie -

If your doctor has prescribed Lovenox for you and you're not taking it, I would talk with him about that and what you have decided to take. I understand your desire to be natural, but you should not do anything other than what your doctor has prescribed without first talking with him/her. If there are natural options to Lovenox, that's great - but you really, really, really need to talk to your doctor before you abandon the Lovenox...unless you went to medical school. I'm not trying to be rude or flippant, but you really need to discuss your decision with someone who completely understands Lovenox and all it does and see if this natural alternative does exactly the same thing. Otherwise, you're gambling with your baby's life and that's not fair to the baby. Take whatever risks you want, but don't put that baby in harm's way. Again, I am NOT trying to be rude, but you have to understand it's not about you - the life that grows inside you trumps everything now. That's a VERY difficult adjustment to make. I fell when I was pregnant and no one at the ER asked about me...they did scans and monitors of the baby and I never got so much as a Tylenol for the extreme pain of all the bruises ans sprains I had...because it wasn't about me. The baby was everyone's only concern. My OB even said the same thing. So, PLEASE, discuss your decision with your doctor and make an informed decision WITH your doctor...because your doctor is you PARTNER in your health care so you have the option to question his/her decision. But question decisions in discussion so you are totally informed to better make those decisions. I really want you to have a wonderful and easy pregnancy - you've worked too hard to come this far to have any problems or complications. So do your research, talk with your doctor and then go with whatever is best for your sweet baby. We need to see updates from you with great and glorious news - so please keep us posted!!!!


Donovansmommy -

A BOY!! What wonderful news!! I am SO thrilled for you!! CONGRATULATIONS!! Yes, God is so very, very, very good and I am so glad He has blessed you with another son. I'm so glad to hear everything is going so well, too!! You have to be so relieved. I'm thrilled for you and am nearly jumping for joy!! I'm glad you got to hear the heartbeat, too... Q..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q
..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q..Q
Wha
t
a joyous sound! I am so very happy for you and your growing family!! Did you keep any clothes or do you get to start over?? I hope the rest of your pregnancy is just as easy and wonderful and I hope to hear updates from you soon!! Have you seen the Preganancy After Infertility board on this site?? It's great and good to have community with other pregnant women. Check it out!! AND KEEP US POSTED!!!


Jean -

Such great news!! How exciting!! 16 weeks is when I FINALLY felt better and was really enjoying every second of my pregnancy...I hope you're feeling the same!!

My blood pressure got funky during one or two appointments, so unless there is a pattern, don't fret.

As far as bleeding at injection site - I had that on a couple of occasions. You're injecting blood thinner into capilliaries, so that's bound to happen from time to time. As I told Gidd in an earlier post, I had one bleed for DAYS. I ran to the doc and they said, "Yeah, that happens." Hmm. So, just know that everything IS ALRIGHT and you and baby are okay. But, with all these tiny capillaries and the injection site being touched by the blood thinner, the injection site sometimes doesn't heal over - remember that you're injecting an anti-clotting medication so that little hole might not heal as quickly with the Lovenox hanging around. Now worries. It might not happen again, and it might happen three or four more times before baby comes...but, again, it's nothing to worry aobut, just a nuisance. Lying flat and still and lots of ice on the bleeder - oh, and drink lots of water. Then just wait until the bleeding stops. PLEASE keep us posted and let us know how you're doing. I will continue to pray for you and your sweet baby and hope to hear more updates soon. I know how hard it is to update when you get further along, but any line you can drop us would be apprecaited!! CONGRATS on your progress!! THAT IS FANTASTIC!!!



HeatherMak

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Hey Everyone, I just want to comment on how brave you are for taking this journey. I just injected myself today for the first time with the lovenox. I am kinda a wimp but it really stung and for a good while. I just wanted to know if it gets any easier. I am at the point of tears, this is a bit overwhelming for me.

Thanks,
Annie

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Annie; I don't know if I'm speaking for everyone, but YES it does get easier. For the longest time when I first started the injections I would have to lie down right away after doing them because I was on the verge of passing out. Now all that has passed and it is almost just routine for me twice a day. Once in a great while I will have an injection that is painful, but you get used to it.

Just have patience and good luck!

HeatherMak; No I did not keep anything from my oldest son. I certainly regret it. I have to start all over again. But thats ok, it will be fun buying everything considering we thought it would never happen again. This pregnancy is a result of a vacation that my husband and I took and I had TOO much wine. Worked out quite well, I think.

I will keep you all posted on the pregnancy. God bless!!

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AnnieRich,

YOU ARE SUCH A BRAVE WOMAN!! YOU ARE A HERO!! Don't you dare let anyone tell you otherwise!!!!!

You took such a huge step by injecting yourself - and that is a very scary, difficult and overwhelming thing to do...how many people do you personally know that do that, or that even COULD do that?? Not many, I'd reckon. So, don't forget to count YOU among the ranks of the brave on this journey. You're a soldier on the path, too, my dear, and you've taken a very big, scary step that you should be very, very proud of taking.

Yes, it IS overwhelming. It's so very, very hard. Not to mention terrifying. You've done such a tremendous thing with this injection - so be sure to recognize what a strong woman YOU ARE!!!

Donovansmommy was right - they do get easier. At first, the shots are horrible and remember crying before, during and after each one. But, after a while I was doing them talking on the phone, getting ready to go to work, etc. I would still get one that would curl my toes, but like Donovansmommy said, you get used to it. The thing my husband would always tell me when I would get upset about the shots is how hard we had worked to get there...then he would whip out the ultrasound picture of our sweet baby...then rub my back and tell me how brave I was...then I would realize everything would be okay and this was just what I had to do for my child. I would BREATHE VERY DEEPLY AND SLOWLY during the injection and somehow I made it through each one.

Each time you have to take your shot - know that every woman on this board is cheering you on...we've been exactly where you are...we know the pain, the fear and the frustration...we're there with you with each tear that falls...and we're sitting on that couch with you as you get ready for your shot - reminding you that you are the bravest woman we know and that we are very, very proud of you.

We are.

Keep us posted and keep coming back!!!


HeatherMak

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HI:

just a quick update... i got my results back from this FIRST screening test ( will give you a risk assessment on downs & any trisomy (chromosomal issues) between 11-14 weeks) everything came back normal... YEY.. I am so excited. I finally told my parents & sister yesterday. I really wanted to hear that good info first before i got anyone excited. I am 13.2 weeks today.
I go in on Monday for my next appt. I really was opposed to the amnio & i'm assuming b/c of these results he wouldn't suggest one just b/c i'm 38. So as the saying goes "life is good"...... Today is a great day.
I hope everyone else is doing well too.

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Thank you so much for the encouragement and kind words. It is so helpful to know that other people are out there going through the same thing. ;D

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Hi I am taking lovenox for the past few weeks and the injections are not getting any easier. I am so afraid of needles it is pathetic. Is there any technique to making it easier? >:(

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Annerich,
I felt the same way when I started my injections. I started with fertility injections 3-4 a day and then eventually added the lovenox. I thought the lovenox was the worst. I use to walk out of the bathroom and cry and sometimes I still do. I'm going to be starting the lovenox in about a week or so and I'm getting nervous but I know that one day when I have my baby all of this would be worth it. So hang in there and be proud of yourselve and just think of what the outcome is going to be.

Heathermak, everytime i read your posts in brings tears to my eyes. Your are such a wonderful person and your writing is so inspirational. Its because of you and all the other women that I have the strength to keep going to make my miracle come true.

Miicki,That is great news, I'm so excited for you. Your parents & sister must be thrilled. God bless and I'll keep on praying.

Donovonsmommy, Congratulations!!! That is wonderful news!!! Have you picked out any names yet?

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Hi all. My doctor's appointment today went well. THe baby's heartbeat sounded good and my blood pressure was normal. YEAH!!!
The biggest issue I seem to be having right now is confusion with lab tests. My perinatologist has allowed me to see my regular OB/GYN for most of my visits with occasional consultations with the perinatologist. My plan includes what they call Lovenox Levels (blood tests) that are to be drawn 4-6 hours after my morning dose of lovenox and are supposed to make sure that my lovenox is within the therapeutic range. Does anyone else have these blood tests drawn and if so what do they call them?
My first level was drawn without hardly any confusion and came back within the perfect range. I've been trying to have my second one drawn for two weeks now. Due to scheduling with my job I had to go to the hospital on a Saturday to have it drawn and the people there wouldn't even do it saying that there was no such thing as a lovenox level. The following week I went back to the office and they drew it but the lab tech (the same one who drew the first one) was really confused but finally found it in her reference book (i think she called it a factor ten a) and sent it off. Today when I went back for my regular appointment they said that the specimen had thawed out on the way to the lab and couldn't be used so they drew another one. But the lab tech (the same one) said that her reference stated that the patient was supposed to be off the blood thinning treatment for at least two days before the test could be run accurately. That is against everything that the doctor and perinatologist has said. AND I'M CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO STOP THE LOVENOX FOR TWO DAYS.
I'm concerned that the right level is not being drawn and that the results that we got back the first time and will get back soon aren't the right thing. Does anyone have any similiar experiences? I think I'm going to call the perinatologist and check with her, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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GINAMARIE; Yes my husband and I have picked out a name...Elijiah Jeramiah. Elijiah has no significant meaning, we just like it, but Jeramiah is for a scripture that was read at my son's funeral. It was beautiful.
Thank you for asking! How are you doing?

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