I am slowing starting to let my guard down. I am way more optimistic than ever before and that by the end of next year I might actually have a baby in my arms. But still shit scared and nervous about the upcoming milestones!
Over the last couple of days, there are bunch of things that are occupying my mind:
1) OB / high-risk OB / hospital selection
So I have been asked by CCRM to start my research on OB selection. After Mo’s post, I realize that everyone goes through this dilemma. The big teaching hospital that I go to for everything (RE, endocrinologist, regular doc, hematologist, my OB from 4 years ago) does have an MFM unit and a NICU. A plus because of this is that since my health records are all centralized, any doc can access my entire history and look at the results of any test that I have had in that hospital. In the MFM page, among the criteria for seeing an MFM doc are (a) If I have had a loss before (b) If I have gotten here after IF (b) If I have any clotting/heart disorders. Hmmm… yes, yes, and yes! So looks like MFM it is for me in this hospital. But now if I am going to have twins, I am sure that my babies will have to stay in the NICU for atleast a week if not more… which means, I have to look at their ratings too. And I couldn’t find anything about what level their NICU is rated to be. If anyone knows of a national website that lists the NICU level ratings for all hospitals, please let me know.
There is another hospital in my area that claims that it has a Level III NICU. But I have never seen any doc in that hospital and I am worried that since they don’t have my history, the level of care might not be up to par. Lots to think about.
2) Milk or not
Everyone knows abt the controversy surrounding diary and fertility. So, with the advice of my acupuncturist, about 6 months ago, I had cut down my milk consumption… I still have cheese and buttermilk, but stopped drinking straight milk. I substituted it with almond/rice milk. Now that I am pregnant, there doesn’t seem to be any controversy surrounding milk. In fact, there seems to be studies highlighting the negative effects of not drinking enough milk during pregnancy! Sigh! What do I do? I am so scared to change anything at this point. I think I am going to ease into it by starting with 1 cup a day to see how my body takes it.
As far as symptoms go, my boobs are so sore. I was telling DH how it is nature’s way of preventing me from sleeping on my tummy. A couple of nights ago, I turned to be on top of my tummy for a couple of secs so I can stretch out my back and…. boy oh boy…. was that a bad idea or what!?! My boobs rejected to be crushed in any way what so ever! I am tired towards the end of the day. I can’t walk through a flight of stairs without catching my breath (it is not like I was fit to begin with… but thats besides the point!). The cramping/heaviness has subsided mostly. It is very mild, but comes and goes. I notice it more towards the end of the day.
I have my E2 and P4 check for tomorrow and I am nervous to hear about my P4 levels. Last time it was 6.8. Please please let it be higher than 10! Fingers crossed.
It sounds like an MFM is definitely the right decision. I don’t know much about the milk debate, but I would drink it at this point! You are no longer avoiding it for infertility, but I understand the feeling of not wanting to change anything. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow!
I would definitely drink milk too! Organic though.
And it sounds like it would be very convenient to stick with a doc in your same hospital. There’s no reason to think you are going to need a level III NICU at this point…
Another idea would be to eat milk based puddings and smooties to ease yourself into milk…just a thought. Sorry…no advice with regard to an OB as it’s done different in Canada….at least where I live. Take care and hoping tomorrow’s p4 levels will be beyond your expectations. I think they will be from the sounds of your symptoms.